South Africa Lead Joint Bid To Host 2028 Africa Cup of Nations

by Devesh Jaganath

image South Africa Lead Joint Bid To Host 2028 Africa Cup of Nations
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has confirmed that South Africa is working on a joint bid to host the 2028 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. The other Southern African countries included in the potential bid include Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Mozambique.
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Gayton McKenzie Wants Afcon To Return to Mzansi

Gayton McKenzie confirmed last week that South Africa, along with five of its neighbouring countries, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Mozambique, are working on a joint bid for the hosting rights for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, which we will be covering in our football predictions.  

Mzansi last hosted the continental showpiece in 2013, and the country’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture says that they are ready for another shot, while emphasising that the aim is for the tournament to be remembered as one of “fair play”. He said: 

"We are definitely going to host the 2028 African Nations Cup... The legacy that we will have will be very good refereeing, will be fair play. Morocco did very well; let me tell you. You mustn't judge Morocco by the one incident. It happens - I don't know why people are making it so big.”

McKenzie’s statement stemmed from the 2025 AFCON, where Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 to claim the title, but the triumph was overshadowed by controversy after the Lions of Teranga walked off the field following disputed refereeing decisions and claims that their preparation had been disrupted. 

May 17 will be a crucial day, as McKenzie will be in Zimbabwe for the selection of the next COSAFA president. It is understood that this will also serve as an opportunity for SA’s Sports Minister to discuss the possibility of the joint bid with the other countries involved. 

Bafana Bafana World Cup Squad Announcement Incoming

While talks over the hosting rights for the 2028 AFCON are likely to continue for a while longer, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now less than a month away, with South Africa set to return to the global tournament for the first time in 16 years since hosting the competition in 2010. 

Later today, head coach Hugo Broos will have to submit his preliminary squad for the tournament in North America. The preliminary squad can include up to 55 players, but Broos will have to narrow that down to a final list of just 26 by FIFA’s deadline on June 2. 

Reports in recent days suggest that Bafana’s major issue revolves around their goalkeeping department. While Ronwen Williams is firmly expected to start in goal, there is a scrap for the two backup roles, with Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Brandon Petersen and Renaldo Learner all in the running.