Zimbabwe part of a joint bid to co-host 2028 AFCON

Zimbabwe is among six Southern African countries set to join South Africa in a joint bid to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has announced.

The proposed co-hosting arrangement includes Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique, alongside host nation South Africa, with a key coordination meeting expected to take place in Harare later this month.

McKenzie confirmed the development on Wednesday, saying discussions will be formalised during the upcoming COSAFA presidential elections scheduled for 17 May in Zimbabwe, where regional football leadership will also converge.

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

He said stadium readiness will be central to the evaluation process, stressing that countries must demonstrate existing capacity rather than rely on future construction plans.

"We want to see their stadiums because we don't want people telling us they are still going to build. At that meeting the final decision will be taken," he said.

McKenzie added that South Africa would proceed with its bid independently if the regional co-hosting model fails to materialise.

The tournament, officially known as the Africa Cup of Nations, remains the continent's premier football competition.

Zimbabwe currently lacks a FIFA-approved stadium for international matches, although ongoing upgrades to the National Sports Stadium in Harare are expected to determine its eligibility in future inspections.

South Africa last hosted the continental tournament in 2013.