Hard ball

Namibia’s AFCON27 hosting snub leaves Botswana in lurch

By Ray Mwareya

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Posted on April 25, 2023 12:27

© Namibia’s Edmar Kamatuka (R) is challenged by Cameroon’s Martin Hongla (L) during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CHAN) Group C qualifier match between Namibia and Cameroon at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on March 28, 2023. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)
Namibia’s Edmar Kamatuka (R) is challenged by Cameroon’s Martin Hongla (L) during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CHAN) Group C qualifier match between Namibia and Cameroon at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on March 28, 2023. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)

Last week, Namibia dropped a bombshell – it informed Botswana that it will no longer jointly host the 2027 African Cup of Nations. The last roll of the dice, a huge disappointment for Southern African football fans, also hints at the dire public finances in both Namibia and Botswana.

“The Namibia government is unable to fulfill its obligations in terms of the MoA between the Republic of Namibia and the Republic of Botswana,” Agnes Tjongarero, Namibia’s sports minister, explained in a public letter sent to his counterpart, Tumiso Rakgare, the Botswana sports minister.

Namibia cited a plethora of reasons to justify its sudden change of heart: due to its stretched domestic finances, the lead consultant to manage the hosting is too expensive for the country, and the N$4.8bn ($264m) needed to upgrade the match facilities by 2026 [is not available].

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