Patrice Motsepe has backed East Africa to deliver the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The CAF president said Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda can meet the demands.
His remarks came as preparations entered a key phase.
Challenges Remain
Some concerns have been raised over the pace of preparations. Facilities and infrastructure are still being completed. CAF has also called for work to be accelerated.
Motsepe said challenges were expected. But he said the three nations must work together to meet the deadlines.
“There will always be challenges and areas that require improvement,” Motsepe said.
He added that East Africans should believe in their ability to stage the event.
Tanzania Progress Praised
Motsepe visited the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Thursday. He also met Tanzanian officials during the visit. Progress on the tournament was discussed.
“I’m very proud of the good work that’s taking place in Tanzania,” he said.
He also called for faster progress as the tournament draws closer.
Kenya Inspection Follows
The CAF president travelled to Kenya on Friday. Meetings with the Kenyan government were planned. Key tournament facilities were also set for inspection.
CAF said the visits are meant to assess progress. Areas needing more attention will also be identified.
A wider CAF inspection was completed earlier this month. Stadiums, hotels, transport facilities and training sites were reviewed across the three host nations.
AFCON Dates Confirmed
AFCON 2027 will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 19, 2027. The final is set for July 17.
It will be the first AFCON staged by three countries. It will also mark the tournament’s return to East Africa in more than five decades.
The three countries now face a race against time. CAF has made clear that key infrastructure and operational work must remain on schedule.
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