Afcon 2027: No ‘plan B or plan C’ despite East Africa preparations concerns – Motsepe

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe says there will be no change to the timetable for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations despite concerns over preparations in the tournament’s East African host nations.

Motsepe has made it clear that CAF does not intend to reconsider the schedule for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

“There’s no plan B, there’s no plan C,” Motsepe said.

The warning comes amid concerns over the pace of preparations, with several stadium and infrastructure projects still needing to be completed ahead of the tournament.

For Kenya, however, hosting Afcon represents more than simply staging one of Africa’s biggest sporting events.

The country sees the tournament as part of a wider strategy to use major sporting events to boost tourism, investment and economic development.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya said the country’s successful bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships was partly linked to its involvement in Afcon 2027.

“One of the reasons why Kenya won the 2029 World Athletics Championship bid is because we are hosting Afcon. Therefore, this is a legacy,” Mvurya said.

“Sport is not just entertainment; it is livelihood, it is economic transformation.

“Therefore, we are aware the opportunity to host Afcon will be key for our economic inspiration. Our tourism will be a big beneficiary.

“As government, we are confident we will host a successful Afcon.”

The tournament is scheduled to begin on 19 June 2027, with the final due to be played on 17 July.

CAF has previously expressed concern over the pace of preparations and has called on the three host countries to increase the urgency of their work.

The coming months will therefore be critical, with stadiums and other facilities expected to be ready for testing well before the tournament begins.

For Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the challenge is not only to deliver Afcon on schedule but also to ensure the tournament leaves a lasting sporting and economic legacy across the region.

The next three months are likely to be particularly crucial in determining whether those ambitions can be turned into reality.