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ZIMBABWE is receiving strong backing from people across the continent, in an online survey being run by SuperSport, to step in and replace Libya as the hosts of the 2017 Nations Cup finals.
The Confederation of African Football revealed this week that Libya would no longer host the 2017 Nations Cup because of the deteriorating security situation in that country and invited other countries to present their bids to host the tournament.

A Libyan delegation, led by the country’s Minister of Youth and Sports and the president of the Libyan Football Federation, told CAF president Issa Hayatou that owing to the unstable security situation in the country, Libya would not be able to host Afcon in 2017.

The meeting was held last Friday at the Caf headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

Consequently, the secretary-general of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, dispatched a circular on August 23, 2014 to all 54 member associations informing them of the decision and “opening bids for the hosting of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

“The designation of the Host for this competition will be made according to the statutory provisions of CAF, especially in conformity with articles 27 to 47 of the Regulations Governing the Application of CAF Statutes.”

The countries interested in replacing Libya as hosts of the 2017 Nations Cup finals have to submit their bids by September 30 this year.

“In addition to the government guarantee and 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,” the continent’s football ruling body said on its official website.

“The designation of the host country will be made at a meeting of the (CAF) Executive Committee in 2015.”

Zimbabwe won the rights to host the 2000 Nations Cup finals, but the CAF leaders took the tournament to Nigeria and Ghana, at the last minute, claiming that the country had done very little to prepare for the tourney.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi even has a bigger dream and recently dared Zimbabweans to prepare to launch an ambitious bid to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup.

Zimbabwe failed in a bid to host the 2010 Nations Cup finals, which were won by Angola, but with Caf searching for a host of the 2017 Nations Cup finals, SuperSport used their Football Facebook page, to run an online survey this week asking “if it’s time for Zimbabwe to host,” and these are some of the responses:

Np Sekese Paul
“In future I think that is good and I think is time for Zimbabweans to shine let it happen. I’m South African and I’m proud to be. People stop saying bad things, each and every country has its problems. But if they (the Zimbabweans) fail, let Afcon come to Mzansi because Mzansi we are powerful and we are awesome.”

Jeremy Claasen
“I think it’s a good idea to let them host the Afcon. It’s a major financial boost plus it creates jobs. Let’s not judge the sport based on political issues. We are 1 Africa so let’s unite. Good luck.”

Maxwell Dzinoreva
“I believe it will be an ideal move to boost the confidence of the country economically and socially since it has been under-performing in this regard. For I believe it’s not about how many facilities you have but to show solidarity among ourselves as Africans and uplift one another in all aspects of life and, of late, South Africa has shown to be practising that, hats off to our big brother.”

Xitshembiso Chelsea Spoykovic
“They don’t have facilities and I don’t think they will be eager to spend on building new stadiums and other facilities while the Zimbabweans are still living in abject poverty.”

Muzingaye Nqaba Mpofu
“Apart from sport, Zimbabwe has already hosted UNWTO and recently the SADC summit, and these have gone smoothly.
“So I think this may be the time for Zim to host a major sport function like the Afcon.”

Ron King
“Certainly not, they need to channel those resources towards creating jobs.”

Jarzin JB Zimondi Samaita
“Yes, why not, it’s soccer not politics. Zimbabwe deserves it, if the tourists like Zim, why not football players, there is tight security in Zim, cricket, rugby “are being) played in Zim with other countries, so why not football?”

Nkosilathi Linda
“The minister said, let’s keep dreaming and host the 2034 World Cup. So 2017 is a miniature task, we can do it.”

Themba Tf Thwala
“(They) deserve it, politics aside and let’s watch the beautiful game, I believe that any nation can host it. It’s all about football, only football.”

Cephas SaBongie Ndlovu
“That won’t work because Zifa is failing to run our small local league, if we dissolve the whole Zifa board first then, yeah, we can host Afcon 2017.”

Paul Dkarai
“Yes, Zim is the venue for Afcon because all the current problems are short-lived and these are matters to do with politics and, fortunately, its peaceful political conflict.

“Zimbabwe is peaceful and has vast tourism resorts not running away from the reality that it has more humble citizens.”

Daniel Oputa
“If Zimbabwe say they are capable of hosting the Afcon then they should give them the go ahead because football brings development where is there none, it brings happiness and it’s also fun. It could boost the lives of her citizens to wake up and show the world what they have in their possession. Let them host it.”

Tony Gwebs Nxusani
“They once hosted ‘95 All-Africa Games, they have good stadiums, the league is well-organised with good teams and that will be an advantage to neighbouring countries, they have to be considered.”

Thokozane Thokio Tee Mabaso
“Each and every country which has no violence and racism deserves to host as long as they have excellent hospitality, great stadiums and good sporting facilities, with great leadership/minister of sports and recreation. They are a good nation to be granted hosts for the event.”

Zane Mlali
“Yes, it is the right time . . . if Brazil hosted the World Cup after so many stories which were happening in their country and the stadiums not being finished on the record time, what would stop Zimbabwe?

“They can host a good Afcon and surprise many, like us SA (South Africans) when we (hosted) 2010 World Cup. Give our neighbours a chance.” — Sports Reporter/SuperSport.