Botswana has pulled out of a co-hosting bid with South Africa and Zimbabwe to hold the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations after the government opted to direct the country’s finances elsewhere.
The decision now leaves South Africa and Zimbabwe to carry on with the bidding process for the hosting rights of the tournament with the Confederation of African Football after Botswana failed to turn in the documents before the September 14 deadline.
Government officials saw hosting the tournament as a financial necessity and football officials said the withdrawal was a blow for the sport, says Botswana newspaper Mmegi.
“Yes, we are disappointed because it was a good chance for us to hold as the hosting load would be distributed by three countries,” a source told Mmegi.
BOTSWANA, which had previously contested the hosting rights of the 2027 AFCON but lost out to the East African joint bid involving Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Financial squeeze in the diamond industry, a major contributor to government revenue and foreign exchange, has forced the country’s withdrawal.
Related Content › Research: Diamond exports shrink, eroding balance of payments Picture: Pixabay/7orangepix The African Development Bank has cautioned that the drop in diamond exports has resulted in narrower fiscal deficits, decreased reserves and greater public debt.
With Botswana’s withdrawal, South Africa and Zimbabwe will now proceed with their joint bid while CAF is reviewing the last remaining submission for the 2028 tournament.
This is likely to be decided in CAF’s bidding process.
