The event, scheduled to take place from May 15 to 29, has received backing from the Namibian Government, as well as the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service and all stakeholders in the country.

The Government has said it will put aside N$8 million (£394,000/$619,000/€552,000) for the tournament.

"The hosting rights for the COSAFA Cup 2016 have been awarded to Namibia already and the line ministry has approved the budget as well," Frans Mbidi, President of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), told daily national newspaper the Namibian.

"What happened is that the COSAFA Organising Committee approached the NFA in respect of hosting next year’s event to which the NFA executive and its secretariat responded in the affirmative."

Namibia will go into the competition as defending champions having won this year’s COSAFA Cup in South Africa, beating Mozambique 2-0 in May's final.

They succeeded 2013 champions Zambia, who along with Zimbabwe have each won the competition, first held in 1997, a record four times.

Unlike at previous tournaments, Namibia are expected to be among the top-seeded sides which would see them go straight through to the quarter-finals.

Matches are set to take place at two venues in the capital Windhoek; Sam Nujoma Stadium and Independence Stadium.

"They [Namibia] submitted the bid in November 2014 and their intention as host was clearly communicated to other member associations at the COSAFA Congress," Sue Destombes, secretary general of COSAFA told the Namibian weekly national newspaper Informanté.

"Yes, it does have two good stadiums, hotels, transport, medical facilities and an enormous amount of willingness and enthusiasm."

NFA secretary general, Barry Rukoro, added: "The NFA is extremely pleased with the confidence COSAFA has shown in it by entrusting its flagship competition to our association."

Last year Namibia played host to the ninth edition of the African Women Championship and is looking to stage more junior tournaments in the coming years.


Related stories
April 2014: FIFA secretary general emphasises support for African football