BREAKING: Botswana FA says “YES” to joint 2017 Afcon bid

Online Reporter

THE Botswana Football Association (BFA) has agreed to make a joint bid with Zifa to host the 2017 African Nations Cup (Afcon) finals.

BFA is expected to approach its government to get the green-light to launch the joint bid.

The government of Zimbabwe has already approved Zifa’s efforts to host the 2017 Afcon tournament.

BFA’s decision to make a joint bid is good news for Zifa as it comes days after the Zambia Football Association turned down flat the idea of a joint bid with Zimbabwe.

Botswana and Zimbabwe have until Tuesday 30 September to submit their joint bid.

**Chance given: Kuda Mahachi might not have to wait long to make his Afcon bow**

Should the Botswana government agree to make a joint bid with Zimbabwe, the two Southern Africa countries will face stiff competition from Ghana.

Ghana’s entry in the race to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals could complicate the Botswana-Zimbabwe bid as the West African country has already hosted some of the tournaments that fall under specific requirements from the Confederation of Africa Football (Caf).

African football’s ruling body states that because of the limited time left to organise the 2017 Afcon, the Caf Executive Committee will select a host country who can guarantee that accommodation, transportation and hotel facilities, as well as training sites and stadiums already exist.

**Existing facilities: Zimbabwe has the capacity to host Afcon 2017**

**Babourfields Stadium in Bulawayo could host Afcon matches if the Botswana-Zimbabwe bid is successful**

The 2017 Afcon tournament was supposed to be hosted by Libya but Libya withdrew as ongoing fighting in the country delayed plans to build new stadiums for the 16-team tournament.

Read the Chronicle tomorrow for more details…