Safa ask Caf for requirements to host 2019 Afcon, set to bid for 2023 Women’s World Cup too

Safa acting chief executive Russell Paul says Banyana Banyana have delivered by qualifying for the World Cup, and now the governing body want to host the 2023 edition. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Safa acting chief executive Russell Paul says Banyana Banyana have delivered by qualifying for the World Cup, and now the governing body want to host the 2023 edition. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Published Dec 5, 2018

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DURBAN – The South African Football Association (Safa) have expressed their desire to stage the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

This was confirmed by Safa’s acting chief executive Russell Paul on Wednesday night.

“Yes, we have inquired to Caf about the list of requirements and terms of reference regarding a bidding process to stage the Afcon. We are waiting for Caf to come back to us.

“We are also waiting for the final approval from government. We haven’t set them any time-frame, but government understands the urgency of this matter.

“The Minister of Sports (Tokozile Xasa) indicated on national television that they would love the opportunity to host such an event,” Paul said.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) stripped Cameroon of the hosting rights for the Afcon due to delays in their preparations.

South Africa and Morocco have emerged as hot favourites to stage the tournament.

“I don’t think we will have a problem to stage the tournament in six months’ time. We have all the facilities required to host the tournament of this multitude.

“We have the hotels, stadiums and hospitals because of the legacy of the World Cup (in 2010). All we need to do is to put together a strong team that will make sure that everything is in place, if we do get the rights to host the tournament,” he added.

Safa are also interested in hosting the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

One of the suits @BafanaBafana and @Banyana_Banyana will dress in during official games pic.twitter.com/hrr7SABFWs

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 5, 2018

“Yes, we have made it clear to Fifa that we would love to host the Women’s World Cup in 2023. That is not a rumour, but it is true.

“The ladies have done well in qualifying for their first World Cup in France next year.

“We have provided them with the platform, and they have delivered. So, we will love to bid for the World Cup,” Paul concluded.

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african cup of nations