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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ONLY Harare and Bulawayo will play host to the 2017 Africa Nations Cup finals if Zimbabwe’s bid to bring the bi-annual football showpiece to the country is successful.

Zimbabwe was one of the seven countries that had their bids accepted by the Confederation of African Football following the withdrawal of Libya due to civil strife.

Other countries that also sent in their bids are previous hosts, Ghana, Algeria, Egypt and Sudan as well as Kenya and Gabon.

Although Caf president Issa Hayatou has been publicly quoted saying countries that have previously played host to the football tournament will be considered first, Zifa still submitted their bid after getting the necessary government guarantee with the Ministries of Sport, Art and Culture and Tourism and Hospitality joining hands in support of the ambitious bid.

Zifa then chose Harare and Bulawayo as the only two cities that will play host to games in the event the tournament comes to Zimbabwe.

Harare has two stadiums that can play host to a tournament of the magnitude of Afcon, the giant National Sports Stadium and Rufaro Stadium while Bulawayo previously had Barbourfields Stadium but following some touch-ups at Luveve Stadium, the venue has since been described as ready for international matches.

Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze then wrote to the City of Bulawayo requesting the City Fathers to sign the host city agreement for Zimbabwe to play host to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

According to council minutes, Mashingaidze wrote the letter on September 23 where he stated that Harare and Bulawayo have since been chosen as the two hosts.

“Bulawayo and Harare have been chosen as the host cities and the government through the Ministry of Sport, Art and Culture has requested the host cities to sign the Host City Agreement forms.

“You are also expected to provide a name of the contact person who will be seconded to the Bid Committee,” wrote Mashingaidze in his letter to the City of Bulawayo.