CAF president Patrice Motsepe visits Nairobi for 2027 AFCON preparations

Patrice Motsepe has arrived in Nairobi as preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations continue to gather momentum across East Africa.

The president of the Confederation of African Football is in Kenya to participate in the Africa Forward 2026 summit, an event focused on the development and future growth of football across the continent.

Motsepe’s visit is being viewed as an important moment for East African football, reflecting CAF’s intention to strengthen both the structural and economic foundations of the game through collaboration and high-level discussions.

Beyond his participation in the summit, the CAF president’s schedule is expected to centre heavily on preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament, which will be staged in East Africa, remains one of the confederation’s major long-term projects.

During his stay in Nairobi, Motsepe will work closely with the local organising committee Pamoja to evaluate the progress of infrastructure projects linked to the competition.

The inspections are expected to focus on ensuring that Kenya remains on course to meet CAF’s requirements ahead of the tournament.

The review process forms part of CAF’s broader strategy to monitor developments in host nations and ensure the continent’s biggest football event is delivered according to international standards.

Officials believe the 2027 edition of AFCON could become a landmark tournament for the region, with East Africa preparing to host one of the most prestigious sporting competitions on the continent.

The Africa Forward 2026 summit is also expected to provide a platform for discussions involving football governance, investment and infrastructure development, all of which remain central to CAF’s long-term vision for African football.

Motsepe’s presence in Nairobi underlines the importance CAF places on the success of the 2027 tournament and the wider development of football infrastructure across East Africa.

With inspections now underway, attention will continue to focus on how preparations progress in the coming months as Kenya and its regional partners work towards hosting a historic Africa Cup of Nations.