Nam, Bots AFCON bid talks going well - Rakgare

FRANCISTOWN: The Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Tumiso Rakgare has said talks with Namibia over a joint bid to host the 2027 AFCON “are going smoothly”.

A delegation from Namibia was recently in the country to discuss finer details of the bid with sources saying much ground has been covered in terms of preparations to launch the bid.

“Talks with Namibia have been going very well. Both parties have been able to reach a common ground on many things. The give and take aspect is crucial during negotiations, but I am happy that both parties have been able to map out exactly what they want to give and take without significant challenges,” Rakgare told Mmegi Sport.

The minister also confirmed that a delegation from Namibia was recently in Botswana where various agreements were reached concerning the preparation of a bid to host the 2027 AFCON edition but would not go into details. The delegation from Namibia was made up of technical officials from the Namibian Sports Commission. In addition, the delegation held several meetings with officials from the Botswana National Sport Commission as well other stakeholders who will be tasked with preparing the bid. Mmegi Sport has established that at the meeting, a bid committee was established and an agreement on how the bidding process will be tackled was signed.

During the three-day visit, the Namibian delegation also attended the Mascom Charity Cup staged at the Obed

Itani Chilume Stadium. “All details pertaining to what the two countries have agreed on in relation to launching the bid will be disclosed before the end of

May.

What I can only emphasise is that talks between the two countries are going very well. We are on the right track,” Rakgare said. The two countries are reportedly preparing to host the tournament on a 60:40 percent ratio with

Botswana retaining the lion’s share.

Early this week, CAF president Patrice Motsepe was in the country and met senior officials from the Botswana Football Association and Rakgare. Motsepe encouraged Botswana and Namibia to go on and launch their AFCON bid. He pointed out that Botswana and Namibia stand to significantly benefit from hosting the

tournament.