Motsepe urges Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to step up Afcon 2027 preparations

Caf president Patrice Motsepe has called on Afcon 2027 co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to develop a “heightened sense of urgency” as preparations for the tournament enter a critical phase.

The Africa Cup of Nations will return to East Africa for the first time in 51 years, with the opening match scheduled for 19 June 2027 and the final on 17 July.

With stadiums expected to be ready for testing within the next three months, Motsepe says there is little room for further delays.

“Even though we’ve got nine months, we need to start using those stadiums in January next year to test them and to see what further improvements are required,” Motsepe told BBC Sport Africa after inspecting preparations in Kenya on Friday.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) president said there had been “very good progress” but acknowledged that some facilities remained below the required standard.

“We’ve got very high standards in terms of our expectations of the infrastructure, the facilities and the stadiums, the hotels, the roads, the football pitches where training takes place,” the South African said.

“We require those facilities to be world class.”

Motsepe began his inspection tour in Tanzania before travelling to Kenya, where he visited Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium and the newly built 60,000-capacity Talanta Stadium.

However, concerns remain over the progress at Kasarani and its associated training facilities.

The stadium is also due to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships after Nairobi was awarded the event ahead of London and Rome earlier this week.

During Caf’s previous inspection in February, organisers were told that the stadiums and their associated training facilities should be around 80% complete by August.

But progress at Kasarani has been limited in some key areas, with work still required on several aspects of the venue.

The playing surface has yet to be laid, while improvements are also needed to the cabling required for television and broadcast operations, floodlights and the stadium’s hospitality facilities.

Motsepe also highlighted the logistical and security demands involved in hosting hundreds of VIPs and heads of state during the tournament.

He said some stadium layouts would therefore have to be revised to meet those requirements.

“Security issues in relation to where the special guests, particularly the heads of state, will be seated requires a revision of the original plans,” the 64-year-old said.

Despite the outstanding work, Motsepe ruled out any possibility of Caf postponing the tournament.

“There isn’t the slightest consideration of a postponement,” he said.

“There should be no need because there’s a deep amount of commitment.”

Caf wants the venues to be used for testing from January, giving organisers several months to identify and address any remaining problems before the tournament begins.

The 2027 Afcon will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, marking the first time the three East African nations have staged the continent’s premier international football tournament together.