Namibia distances itself from Southern Africa’s joint AFCON 2028 bid

Namibia has dismissed reports suggesting it is part of a southern African bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), insisting that the government has neither approved nor authorised any involvement in the proposed candidature.

The clarification comes after recent remarks by South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, and newly elected Council of Southern Africa Football Associations president Tariq Babitseng, who both indicated that Namibia was among several countries backing a regional hosting bid.

Speaking to the Nampa news agency, Namibia’s Executive Director for Sports, Youth and National Service, Gerard Vries, said the government had not committed to any aspect of the proposed tournament bid.

“The government of Namibia has not approved or authorised any bid for the 2028 Afcon tournament. No financial or operational commitments have been made towards hosting the tournament,” he said.

He further explained that no budgetary provisions had been made for the project, stressing that Namibia had not entered any bidding process or hosting arrangement related to the continental showpiece.

The statement appears to contradict comments made by McKenzie last month, when he revealed that South Africa was preparing a joint bid alongside Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique.

“We are making a bid for the 2028 Afcon. We are doing it with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Mozambique,” said McKenzie.

Babitseng also expressed confidence in the regional bid during last month’s COSAFA Congress in Harare, revealing that the submission had already been lodged with the relevant authorities.

“We submitted our bid on time to host the tournament in southern Africa,” Babitseng told reporters in Harare.

Namibia’s latest position raises fresh questions over the composition and status of the proposed southern African bid.

The country has previously shown caution regarding major hosting commitments. Namibia initially partnered Botswana in a bid for the 2027 AFCON but later withdrew from the process due to concerns over budget approval and the significant financial obligations involved. Under that arrangement, Namibia was expected to cover 40 per cent of the hosting costs.

The 2027 tournament was eventually awarded to the East African trio of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

With Namibia now publicly distancing itself from the 2028 proposal, uncertainty remains over whether the southern African region’s bid will proceed in its current form.