South Africa preparing bid to co-host AFCON 2028 with Botswana, Namibia

by Devesh Jaganath

image South Africa preparing bid to co-host AFCON 2028 with Botswana, Namibia
The nation’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has confirmed that South Africa is preparing a formal bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations with neighbours Botswana and Namibia. If Mzansi is granted hosting rights, it would be the third time they have staged the continental showpiece after 1996 and 2013.
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South Africa seek third AFCON hosting rights

The dust has just settled on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Senegal claimed their second continental title and confirmed our football predictions by beating the Atlas Lions in a quite spectacular final that delivered its fair share of drama. 

The next AFCON is scheduled for 2027 and will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between June and July. Thereafter, CAF has confirmed that the tournament will become a quadrennial event from 2028 onward. 

Ahead of the final in Rabat last week, South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, revealed that South Africa is preparing an official bid to host the continental showpiece in 2028, alongside neighbouring Botswana and Namibia. 

Should that come to fruition, it would be the third time that Mzansi stages the AFCON finals, having also done so most recently in 2013 and for the first time in 1996, when they claimed their maiden and only AFCON title to date. 

During his announcement, McKenzie, who is known for not shying away from speaking his mind, added that if South Africa and its neighbours were not granted hosting rights in 2028, it would be two decades of no AFCON being held in Southern Africa. 

Reports since McKenzie’s announcement have revealed that the South African Sports Ministry are expected to submit their formal expression of interest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) before the deadline on February 1, 2026. 

2026 Nedbank Cup Round of 32 fixtures confirmed 

With the 2025 AFCON now done and dusted, club football once again takes centre-stage and the 19th edition of the Nedbank Cup is set to kick off on February 4 after the draw for the Round of 32 was finalised earlier this week.

Nedbank Cup Draw: 

  • Stellenbosch FC v Kaizer Chiefs
  • Army Rockets v Casric Stars
  • Hungry Lions v University of Pretoria
  • Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila v Orlando Pirates
  • Durban City FC v Chippa United
  • Polokwane City v AmaZulu FC
  • SSU MI17 FC v Milford FC
  • SAFA Western Cape v Luthuli Brigades FC
  • FC Cardinals v Jacksa Spears
  • Mkhambathi FC v Lerumo Lions
  • Upington City v Magesi FC
  • Highbury FC v Sekhukhune United
  • Golden Arrows v Orbit College
  • Mamelodi Sundowns Gomora United
  • TS Galaxy v Marumo Gallants
  • Siwelele FC v Richards Bay FC