- The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, could be postponed
- CAF’s executive committee is set to meet on Friday in Dar es Salaam to deliberate on a couple of issues before it
- We analyse the issues CAF will look at, even as the three East African countries continue with their preparations
It has now emerged that there is a strong possibility that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania could be postponed.
Source: Twitter
The three East African countries are readying themselves to host the next edition of AFCON, the first in the region, after winning the bid in 2023 under the ‘Pamoja’ banner.
The Pamoja bid beat, among others, proposals from Botswana and Zambia, Senegal and Nigeria and Benin.
Why AFCON 2027 could be postponed
However, as the Guardian reports, the tournament could be postponed to 2028 with CAF’s Executive Committee set to meet on Friday, February 13, to deliberate on the issue. The meeting, which will be presided over by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, will be held in Dar es Salaam.
Are Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania ready for AFCON 2027?
One of the key issues is that the three countries will not be ready in time to host the tournament. Massive construction works are currently ongoing with new stadiums like Talanta (Nairobi) and the Samia Suluhu (Arusha) being built.
Apart from the stadiums, the countries must also build proper infrastructure around them, such as access roads. Ivorian journalist Mamadou Gaye made an issue of it, stating that it would lower the standards. The three countries will need to be on top of their game to organise the tournament across 10 cities.
“There are no roads in the countries. Some of my colleagues from there told me it can take you two days to travel by road,” he said.
Last year, there were rampant issues, especially in Kenya, with ticketing and security during the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN).
Source: Twitter
When will AFCON 2027 qualification take place?
The second issue is that there isn’t adequate time on the calendar to organise the qualification matches. Upto 10 teams will play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making it a nightmare for CAF to organise the qualification matches in time for next year.
Should CAF resolve to push the tournament to 2028, it would mean that the 2028 edition would be scrapped. Motsepe had earlier announced that AFCON would adopt a four-year cycle, where, after the 2027 edition, there will be another one in 2028, then in 2032, to make it in sync with the Euros and Copa America.
South Africa and Botswana had expressed interest in staging the 2028 tournament, with Ethiopia believed to be in the race as well. There are also plans to introduce the African Nations League, which is set to replace CHAN.
Should AFCON be aligned with Euros?
The other thing CAF could consider is the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and Euro 2028, which will clash with an AFCON held in June, but according to Ugandan journalist Clive Kyazze, it shouldn’t be a factor.
“I would actually prefer to have it at the same time as the Euros, an opportunity for Africa to push its own product. The last Copa America was played in 2024 same dates as the Euros. The next Copa America is in 2028, the same time as the Euros, let the AFCON be played at the same time.”
CAF to visit Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
Meanwhile, CAF is set to inspect the three countries’ readiness even as the Exco prepares to meet in Tanzania.
The delegation will visit the venues, including Talanta Stadium in Kenya, as they seek to push for world-class facilities.
The team will be around until February 17.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
