CAF boss Motsepe calls for close cooperation between AFCON 2027 host nations

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe says Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda must work closely with their governments, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and other key stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The three East African nations will jointly host the tournament, marking the first time the continental showpiece will be staged across the three countries.

Speaking to the media on Thursday following a visit to Tanzania, Motsepe stressed the importance of cooperation between the host governments and football authorities as preparations gather pace for the expanded tournament.

He said the Presidents of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, together with the LOC and other stakeholders, have an important role to play in ensuring that the required standards are met before the competition begins.

As part of CAF’s preparations, a 21-person expert delegation has been working across the three host countries to assess and support developments ahead of the tournament.

According to Motsepe, some members of the delegation have now taken up permanent positions in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda to help accelerate preparations and monitor progress.

A major focus of the work is the improvement of training facilities and playing pitches, as well as other infrastructure required to host Africa’s premier international football competition.

The improvements are intended to ensure that the facilities used by participating teams and officials meet the standards expected for a major continental tournament.

Motsepe said the scale of the preparations requires sustained cooperation rather than isolated efforts from individual countries or organisations.

The CAF president has repeatedly highlighted the significance of the 2027 tournament to East Africa, with the competition expected to provide an opportunity for Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda to showcase their football infrastructure and strengthen the region’s position as a major sporting destination.

With the tournament still ahead, the presence of CAF’s technical experts in the three countries is expected to play a key role in identifying areas that require attention and helping the hosts address outstanding infrastructure needs.

The 2027 AFCON will therefore be a major test of the three countries’ ability to coordinate preparations across borders while delivering facilities and tournament operations to CAF’s required standards.

Motsepe’s comments underline the need for the host nations to maintain close communication throughout the preparation period, with government support, football administration and the LOC working towards a common objective.

CAF will continue to monitor progress as Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda move closer to hosting the continent’s biggest football tournament in 2027.