Zimbabwe submits 2017 Afcon bid

Zimbabwe has decided to go it alone in bidding to stage the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), just days after attempts to submit a joint proposal with Botswana were thwarted when the Botswana Football Association backtracked on their earlier committment to a co-hosting plan.

Following the apparent snub by their fellow Southern Africans,  Zifa, along with other local stakeholders went ahead and concluded work on a bid document last Saturday, with the local football mother body's chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze then tasked to submit the document to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) ahead of today's deadline.

Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela indicated that Mashingaidze, who set off for the Caf headquarters in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday evening, was expected to deliver the document on Monday evening.

Despite failing in their efforts to have a joint bid (Zambia also declined Zimbabwe's overtures earlier this month), Zifa remain optimistic of winning the right to host the prestigious continental football showpiece.

"As Zifa, we are hopeful that Zimbabwe's proposal is comprehensive hence it will surely match those of other contenders," Gwesela told the association's website www.zif.org.zw

"Despite all the negativity and pessimism from other quarters, we have refused to be distracted and we shall continue with our bid activities till the winning contender has been announced.

"It is obvious to any rational observer that Zimbabwe, with the necessary support, has the capacity to host such a mega event," he added.

The Zifa spokesperson went on to confirm the withdrawal of Botswana from a proposed joint bid, citing ill-preparedness on the part of Zimbabwe's neighbours.

In explaining their withdrawal from the proposed co-hosting arrangement, the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC), through its chairperson Solly Reikeletseng, noted that hosting the tournament was something which could not be done overnight despite the BFA's apparent willingness to push through a joint bid with Zimbabwe.

"To bid for the Afcon finals is a daunting process, which requires thorough planning. The association (BFA) has to show the benefits and the expenses, which come with hosting (Afcon)," Reikeletseng told Mmegi on Friday.

"Then there should be buy-in from the private sector before a comprehensive business plan is developed. This should then be submitted to the BNSC before we pass it to the ministry (of sports) which will also forward to the cabinet.

"Hosting is at the pinnacle of what we want to do, but it should be done right.  We did well with the Youth Games bid now we cannot afford to get the government into unnecessary debt," he added.

Meanwhile, Zifa have indicated that work is at an advanced stage in the formation of a bid committee which will be announced in the coming weeks.

"There is work in progress in the constitution of the bid committee, all names together with those of Zifa's brand ambassadors will be announced at a special event to be graced by Honourable Ministers Langa and Mzembi," said Gwesela.

Zimbabwe, together with Ghana, Algeria and Kenya are targeting hosting the prestigious football competition in 2017 which fell vacant following Libya's withdrawal.

However, Zimbabwe's chances of securing the rights to host the 2017 Afcon tournament are minimal as the country falls short of the Caf requirements for staging the continental football extravaganza.