AFCON 2027: East Africa races to get tournament-ready | Africa Cup of Nations News
Nairobi, Kenya — As the countdown to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) accelerates with less than nine months remaining, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are intensifying their preparations for the historic tournament. Set to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, this will mark the first time the AFCON is co-hosted by three nations and its return to East Africa since Ethiopia last hosted the finals in 1976.
Recently, a delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducted an eight-day inspection of facilities across the three host countries. This included evaluations of stadiums, training grounds, hotels, airports, and other critical infrastructure essential for the tournament.
Kenya: Progress on Key Venues
In Kenya, the centerpiece of preparations is the newly constructed Talanta Sports International Stadium in Nairobi, which has a seating capacity of 60,000. CAF President Patrice Motsepe inspected the site earlier this month and expressed satisfaction with its progress.
In addition to Talanta, the CAF delegation assessed other venues, including the Kasarani Stadium, where work on the pitch is expected to be completed by the end of October. Nicholus Musonye, chairman of Kenya’s AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee, assured stakeholders of the country’s readiness, stating, “We are ready to host AFCON.”
However, there are concerns regarding some training grounds, as expressed by local football enthusiasts. Kelvin Kimaru noted that these facilities are still not operational. Additionally, certain venues, including Nyayo Stadium and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, require further enhancements.
Tanzania: Infrastructure Development
Tanzania is also in the final stages of its preparations, focusing on stadium and training ground readiness alongside necessary transport infrastructure. Neema Msitha, the chief executive of Tanzania’s AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee, indicated that stadiums are more than 80 percent complete and targeted for handover to CAF in January 2024.
Training facilities are concurrently being developed across host locations, with construction approximately 75 percent complete. The Tanzanian government is actively monitoring progress, as Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has called for acceleration in the readiness of training grounds.
Road infrastructure connecting venues is another critical aspect of Tanzania’s preparations, with the government insisting on round-the-clock operations to meet deadlines. Air travel arrangements, including regional airlines and ferry services, are also being organized to facilitate transport for teams and supporters.
Uganda: Meeting Deadlines Amid Challenges
In Uganda, preparations are on track with a focus on completing key infrastructure by the end of December. Patrick Ogwel, a CAF infrastructure monitoring officer, confirmed that Hoima City Stadium has been completed, while Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium is slated for completion within the same month.
The Local Organising Committee has identified three primary stadiums and plans for 10 of 12 training facilities to be operational by year-end. However, there are concerns regarding the construction pace at facilities like Pece Stadium, which the government is pushing to expedite.
Following a recent CAF inspection, challenges concerning infrastructure outside Kampala were reported to President Yoweri Museveni.
Transitioning from Construction to Operational Readiness
With the tournament looming, the focus now shifts from construction to operational readiness. AFCON necessitates not only functional stadiums but also robust training grounds, media, and hospitality support, ensuring a seamless experience for players and fans alike.
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda draw on their previous experience from jointly hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship. As representatives from the local organizing committees participated in an observer mission at the recent AFCON in Morocco, lessons learned will aid in addressing the larger scale of AFCON.
The next few months will be critical for finalizing preparations, with the potential impact on local communities palpable as the tournament presents a unique opportunity to celebrate Africa’s premier national-team competition on home soil. Local fans are expressing enthusiasm for the event, anticipating the chance to witness live matches in their countries.
