Head of the Kenyan organizing committee for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Nicholas Musonye insists the postponement of the tournament for another year would be in his country’s best interest.
The 36th edition of the continental showpiece to be co-hosted in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya has been scheduled to take place in January 2027.
As Kenya prepares for the parliamentary and presidential elections, the leader of the organizing committee insists postponing the tournament would be in the best interest of the East African nation.
“The decision to postpone the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations for a year will be in Kenya’s best interest because we are preparing for parliamentary and presidential elections.” He told AFP.
“We have seen the tense atmosphere surrounding elections in Tanzania, Uganda, and even Kenya. Security will not be guaranteed in a major competition like the Africa Cup of Nations.”
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has moved to deny reports regarding the postponement and relocation of the tournament.
At a press conference following a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam, Motsepe downplayed media reports alleging the tournament was at risk due to infrastructure concerns in the host nations.
“I am enormously confident that we will succeed,” Motsepe told reporters, emphasizing that the three nations are making significant strides in their preparations.
He reiterated that CAF is working closely with the respective governments to ensure that stadiums, transport links, and training facilities meet international standards well ahead of the kickoff.
He noted that if CAF only hosted competitions in countries that already possessed world-class infrastructure, the growth of the game would be stunted in other regions.
He compared the current skepticism to the doubts once faced by other major global hosts, insisting that the passion for football in East Africa would drive the success of the event.
The dismissal of the report comes as a major relief to football fans in the three host countries, where excitement has been building since the hosting rights were awarded.
Motsepe pointed to the successful hosting of other continental fixtures and the African Nations Championship (CHAN) as evidence of the region’s growing capability.
By reaffirming his stance in Tanzania, the CAF President aimed to silence speculation and refocus international attention on the progress being made on the ground in Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam.
