CAF President Shuts Down Calls to Strip Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania of 2027 AFCON
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has firmly dismissed suggestions that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations should be taken away from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, insisting the continent’s flagship tournament must be used as a tool for development rather than reserved for a handful of established hosts.
Motsepe was speaking on Saturday, January 17, during a press conference in Morocco, where he faced a direct challenge from Ivorian journalist Mamadou Gaye over concerns surrounding infrastructure and logistics in East Africa.
Gaye delivered a scathing assessment of the joint “Pamoja” hosts, arguing that poor road networks and long travel times between the three countries could undermine the standard of the competition.
“The next one (AFCON) is heading to three East African countries where I have been,” Gaye said. “No roads connecting the countries. Some of my colleagues from East Africa told me that from one country to another it can take two days to drive.
“Then my biggest worry, and many are worried, is are we going to lower the standards by going to East Africa? What is the solution going forward? Is there any possibility that it will be taken away from those countries?”
Motsepe, however, rejected the suggestion outright, stressing that CAF’s long-term vision is centred on spreading investment and opportunity across the continent rather than concentrating major tournaments in the same regions.
“You’ve got to create opportunities for all African countries to develop infrastructure,” Motsepe responded. “I am confident that the AFCON will be successful. I know there will be challenges.”
The CAF boss pointed to the successful co-hosting of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in August 2025 as clear evidence that the three nations are capable of delivering a major tournament.
“That’s why I wanted CHAN to take place in those countries, because it would give them the chance to develop,” he explained. “We are not going to take the competition away from those countries because I am convinced it will be successful.”
Motsepe added that logistical and infrastructural challenges are a reality for every major sporting event, regardless of location. To underline his point, he drew comparisons with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“Every tournament has challenges,” he said, suggesting that even wealthier nations face complex planning and coordination issues when hosting events of such scale.
Beyond the 2027 edition, Motsepe also reiterated CAF’s decision to overhaul the AFCON calendar. In December, the governing body announced that the tournament would move from a biennial to a four-year cycle in an effort to ease long-standing scheduling conflicts, particularly with European club competitions.
Under the revised structure, the 2025 AFCON was staged in Morocco, followed by the East African edition in 2027 under the Pamoja joint bid. CAF will then organise a transitional “bridge” tournament in 2028, with the host nation yet to be confirmed, before fully adopting the quadrennial format from 2032 onwards.
Motsepe confirmed that the changes were made after extensive consultations with FIFA, aimed at protecting player welfare and improving the commercial and sporting value of African football’s premier international competition.
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CAF President Shuts Down Calls to Strip Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania of 2027 AFCON