AFCON 2027: Motsepe backs PAMOJA bid amid concerns on infrastructure
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 14.05.26. | 11:36
The head of football in Africa spoke on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has reaffirmed the Confederation of African Football’s confidence in the East African “Pamoja” bid.
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The head of football in Africa is insisting Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will successfully host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite growing concerns over delayed infrastructure projects.
Motsepe spoke to BBC Sport Africa on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, where he addressed concerns raised following CAF’s recent inspection reports on preparations in the three host nations.
The CAF boss admitted there is still room for improvement, especially regarding stadium upgrades and transport infrastructure, but maintained that the commitment shown by the three governments gives CAF confidence that the tournament will be a success.
“Are there areas where there’s room for improvement? Absolutely,” Motsepe said.
“But the commitment, the support from President Ruto, from President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Tanzania, and from President Museveni in Uganda is enormous.”
The South African football administrator further revealed that CAF has officials stationed permanently in the three countries to closely monitor preparations ahead of the continental showpiece scheduled for June 2027.
“We’ve got people from CAF who are permanently based in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and they are working every day on the preparations and making sure that the AFCON taking place in June 2027 is going to be successful,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
The tournament will mark the first-ever AFCON to be jointly hosted by three countries and also the return of the competition to East Africa for the first time since Ethiopia staged the event in 1976.
Kenya’s preparations have particularly attracted attention due to ongoing construction and renovation works around key facilities, including the proposed 60,000-seater Talanta Sports City stadium, Kasarani, and Nyayo National Stadium.
However, the preparations are also unfolding amid an internal wrangle within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) after a section of NEC members demanded the resignation of FKF president Hussein Mohammed over alleged financial impropriety claims.
Hussein has denied the accusations and accused rivals allied to deputy president McDonald Mariga of attempting to destabilise the federation leadership.
Motsepe remained optimistic that the issues within FKF would be resolved in line with FIFA and CAF statutes.
“I’m confident that we will resolve those issues in a manner that complies with CAF and FIFA statutes and regulations,” he added.
Kenya was previously suspended by FIFA in February 2022 after the government disbanded FKF over alleged financial mismanagement, before the ban was later lifted following the reinstatement of the federation.