South Africa Warns Zimbabwe Over Stadium Readiness for Joint 2028 AFCON Bid
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has cast fresh doubt over Zimbabwe’s role in a proposed regional bid for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), saying participating countries must prove they have stadiums ready to meet CAF requirements.
The outspoken minister said Southern African nations interested in co-hosting the continental tournament would meet in Zimbabwe later this month to assess preparations before a final decision is made on the joint bid.
Stadium Readiness Under Scrutiny
Speaking to TimesLive, McKenzie said the upcoming gathering would focus heavily on infrastructure and stadium standards, particularly for countries seeking inclusion in the regional proposal.
He said South Africa wanted assurance that participating nations already had suitable facilities rather than promises of future construction projects.
McKenzie added that South Africa remained capable of hosting the tournament on its own if regional partners failed to meet the expected standards.
Zimbabwe Faces Growing Pressure
His remarks come as Zimbabwe continues working to upgrade key football venues, including the National Sports Stadium, which has been undergoing renovations in a bid to regain CAF approval.
Zimbabwe has been unable to host international matches after CAF deemed its stadiums unsuitable, forcing the Warriors to play home fixtures outside the country.
Although authorities have repeatedly expressed confidence that renovations are progressing, delays have continued to raise concerns about whether the facilities will be ready in time for a possible AFCON hosting role.
Regional Bid Hangs in Balance
South Africa is spearheading a proposed multi-country bid involving Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Lesotho.
However, McKenzie’s latest comments suggest countries that fail to demonstrate CAF-compliant infrastructure could be excluded from the initiative.
The meeting scheduled during the COSAFA leadership gathering in Zimbabwe is expected to shape the direction of the regional proposal and determine whether the countries proceed together or if South Africa submits a solo bid.
CAF Set to Decide Hosts
CAF is expected to confirm the hosts for the 2028 AFCON in the coming months following the bidding process.
Morocco is among the nations reportedly positioning themselves to host the tournament once again, setting up stiff competition for the Southern African proposal.
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