New Cosafa President Tariq Babitseng has confirmed a joint bid from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, the last before the continental showpiece becomes a four-yearly event.
Babitseng was elected Cosafa President in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Sunday, taking over from Said Ali Said Athouman from the Comoros, having stood unopposed.
He said his mission during his term will be to improve the fortunes of Southern African football, with a major focus on bringing the Afcon to the region.
South Africa (1996 & 2013) and Angola (2010) are the only Southern African nations to have hosted before, and with the next edition in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) in 2027, and the three before that in the North (Morocco 2025), West (Ivory Coast 2023) and Central (Cameroon 2021) part of the continent, the southern zone is due.
“I can confirm that the Botswana FA, South African FA, Namibia FA and Zimbabwe FA have put in a joint bid (to host the Afcon 2028),” Babitseng said. “We submitted on time for us to host the tournament in Southern Africa.
“The President of Caf (Dr Patrice Motsepe) has encouraged the Zones to host competitions. The 2021 Afcon was in Cameroon, then Ivory Coast, then Morocco and now Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, so we have put in a bid for Cosafa to host, so that all the regions (zones) can be covered.
“The intention is, for example, for Zimbabwe to host one or two groups, Botswana maybe one group and a semifinal, Namibia the same. That will be discussed if we get the tournament, but the largest chunk will be in South Africa.
“We have the transport routes and the infrastructure in Southern Africa to host a successful tournament.”
"I can confirm that Botswana Football Association, Namibia Football Association, South Africa Football Association and the Zimbabwe Football Association have put a joint bid to host AFCON 2028," said newly elected COSAFA President Oabile Thona Tariq Babitseng of Botswana.… pic.twitter.com/OsX5zAIrr3
— Classic263 (@classic263) May 17, 2026