By Mark Baber
August 29 – Following last week’s admission by Libya that is would be impossible for them to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017, a surprising number of countries have expressed interest in hosting the tournament, with bids due to be submitted by the end of September.
Announcing the bidding process on August 23, The Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared that: “Considering the limited time left for the organisation of the 2017 edition, the CAF executive committee will select a host country whose dossier guarantees that accommodation, transportation and hotels facilities, as well as training sites and stadiums, already exist.”
A very short deadline of the end of September was given for the submission of bids, with speculation that Algeria, Cameroon, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Zambia, shortlisted as possible hosts for the 2019 and 2021 tournaments might bring their plans forward or South Africa, who were the originally planned hosts before swapping with Libya, might stand in again. The decision on the 2019 and 2012 tournaments will be made at a meeting in Addis Ababa on September 20.
However, Egypt (the 2006 hosts), Ghana (the 2008 hosts), Ethiopia, Mali (the 2002 hosts) and Zimbabwe have reportedly all declared an interest in hosting the 2017 tournament and progress is also being made on a potential joint bid of East African countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
Mali
The Malian football federation (Femafoot) declared its candidacy on Wednesday, with FemaFoot president Boubacar Diarra Baba saying “We’ve received the political endorsement of the highest authorities in Mali to bid to host CAN 2017. Our country already has the infrastructure required for such an event.”
East Africa (A combination of all or three of Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania)
Kenya is pushing hard for an East African Community bid with Sam Nyamweya, the President of the FKF confirming that there were plans to have Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda bid to host the event with Ferwafa chairman Vincent Nzamwita and his Ugandan counterpart Moses Hassim Magogo already agreeing to explore the opportunity.
On Thursday the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) said it will wait for government clearance before accepting a joint bid with Kenya with FUFA president Moses Magogo, saying “We are okay with having a joint bid, but having the Afcon in our region is not a small matter. We have asked Kenya to make the request formal in writing so that we can consult with the government to see if they can give us clearance on this.”
The Rwandan Ministry of Sports and Culture is set to consult with other stakeholders to ascertain if Rwanda can have a joint bid with Kenya and Tanzania to host the 2017 Africa Nations Cup finals.
Asked about a joint bid with Kenya and Tanzania, Rwandan Sports Minister Joseph Habineza said: “I will have to discuss with stakeholders to see if Rwanda can back this bid but I believe East Africa has the infrastructure to host the continental tournament.”
“I would actually advise that we look at a four-nation bid with Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania each hosting one group since this is a 16-nation tournament.”
Rwanda has hosted two African youth championships in 2009 (U20) and 2011 (U17) and is preparing to host the 2016 Africa Nations Championship (Chan).
The Tanzanian Football Federation Executive Committee under President Jamali Malinzi met last weekend and reportedly agreed to bid to host the finals, with Mailinzi confident that his country could be chosen despite not meeting the stipulation of having hosted a youth tournament in the past. A joint bid with other East African countries probably stand a greater chance than a stand-alone bid.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe won the rights to host the 2000 Nations Cup finals, but the tournament was moved to Nigeria and Ghana, at the last minute due to lack of preparations. Zimbabwe also failed in a bid to host the 2010 Nations Cup finals.
However, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi has set his sights high, aiming for the 2017 tournament as a stepping stone to host the 2034 World Cup.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela tolds local media, “What can stop us from hosting the tournament? We have previously hosted a successful Cosafa tournament, the All-Africa Games and in December 15 countries will be here for the African Union Region Five Under-20 Games.”
Gwesela added, “We first need to have a guarantee by the government but from a technical and infrastructural point of view, Zifa is ready.”
Luveve and White City Stadiums are currently undergoing massive refurbishments to meet international standards ahead of the Region Five Under-20 Games so Harare and Bulawayo could be the two host cities if the country’s bid is successful.
Ghana
Ghana’s interest was announced by Minister of Youth and Sports Mahama Ayariga on Tuesday via his official Twitter account and Avariga later told the media; “I am happy to announce to you that, the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has given us the permission to bid for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations”
“We have his blessings and we are going to bid for the competition, because we have what it takes to win. We have the infrastructure in place, a good air travel system and a hospitable environment to host the rest of the continent,” he added.
Egypt
EFA vice president, Hassan Farid has declared,”It will be a honour for us to host the Afcon, as we are keen to host this event but we still need to talk with many ministries in the government.”
Despite having the infrastructure in place, Egypt may face the problem of attendance of the fans as fans do not yet attend matches following the 2011 revolution.
The designation of the host country will be made at a meeting of the Executive Committee which has been tentatively set for April 2015.
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