Zimbabwe Turns Down Opportunity To Host Cosafa Cup

Organisers of the first COSAFA senior men’s football tournament are still searching for a new host nation for the 2019 edition after Zimbabwe turned down the rights citing short notice. Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry made the announcement yesterday following a marathon meeting with senior officials from ZIFA and the Sports Commission. Zimbabwe, who last hosted the tournament in 2009, were provisionally handed the rights to organise this year’s edition, pending Government guarantees, when COSAFA secretary-general Sue Destombes toured the country last month and made the announcement.

However, after wide consultations, the stakeholders felt the deal was not good for Zimbabwe because of limited time.  According to Coventry, the country was still open to hosting the event in the future.

More: Herald