Zambia Confident of AFCON Bid

The Zambian FA (FAZ) are confident they have put in a strong bid to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and former executives are rallying behind the effort.

Former FAZ Vice President Boniface Mwamelo has come out in support of the bid. Mwamelo served as Vice President from 2011 to 2016, overseeing Zambia’s only ever AFCON victory in 2012. On that historic day, they overcome Côte d’Ivoire 8-7 on penalties.

“Hosting the Africa Cup is a huge undertaking. It is not for FAZ, it is not FAZ which is attempting to host but the country. For the bid to succeed it requires commitment from everyone,” Mwamelo said. He went on to describe it as “an all inclusive undertaking” but acknowledged Zambia faced competition.

Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, and joint bidders Nigeria-Benin are all seeking to host the tournament. Guinea were initially selected to host the competition but had their rights remoed following issues developing appropriate infrastructure and facilities. To host AFCON nations must provide 2 stadiums with a capacity of over 40,000 and 4 with a capacity of at least 20,000.

Zambia already has two CAF certified stadiums in the National Heroes and Levy Mwanawasa while four more will be developed further to at least 20,000 capacity according to FAZ President, Andrew Kamanga.

Kamanga believes that since southern Africa has not hosted AFCON since South Africa 2013 it is time for it to return to the region. He also expressed confidence on the prospect of “a moment of triumph on home soil.” Zambian football is developing in strides, and with the U17s side winning the COSAFA Men’s Championship earlier in the month there is optimism as that group of players develop, so will Zambian football as a whole.

The bid, filed with CAF last week, will be considered and a winner will be announced February 13, 2023.