CAF confirms AFCON 2027 to remain in East Africa

Speaking after a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Motsepe moved swiftly to silence reports suggesting the tournament could be pushed to 2028 or moved to another country.

“….just to re-emphasize what I said in Morocco, which is that the AFCON next year in Kenya, in Tanzania, in Uganda is going to be enormously successful. Enormously successful,” he declared.

Motsepe addressed reports, including claims allegedly published by The Guardian in London, that he had travelled to East Africa to strip the three nations of hosting rights.

“That’s totally unfounded,” he said firmly. “Sometimes I say certain things and the media just either say something totally opposite… I am enormously confident that we will succeed.”

The 2027 showpiece, scheduled for June 19 to July 18, will be staged across 10 host cities and 12 venues under the historic “Pamoja Bid.”

Key facilities include Talanta Sports Stadium, Kasarani and Nyayo in Nairobi, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, and Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

CAF technical teams are currently inspecting infrastructure across the three nations through February 17.

While acknowledging inevitable hurdles, Motsepe insisted challenges will not derail the tournament.

“Will there be challenges? There are always challenges,” he said, recalling similar doubts before successful editions in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire. “But we have to believe in ourselves as Africans… we’re going to work together despite any challenges.”

Reports indicate that Tanzania and Uganda have each deposited $30 million toward hosting obligations, with Kenya’s remittance expected soon.

Motsepe also confirmed a major structural shift in African football, with AFCON transitioning to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition, alongside the launch of an African Nations League in 2029.

But his central message remained unwavering.

“We believe in our capacity to be as good as the best in the world because we have the skills and also we have the self-belief and the integrity,” he said. 

“There will be information in the media… this stadium is not ready; this pitch is not ready… we’ll fix those challenges. We’re going to have a celebration.”

For East Africa, the countdown continues. The message from CAF is clear: AFCON 2027 is coming, and it is staying.