By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has firmly ended months of uncertainty, confirming that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will proceed as planned in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Speaking at a major press conference on Friday following a CAF Executive Committee meeting, Motsepe dismissed reports of a possible relocation or postponement as “totally unfounded.”
East Africa “Pamoja” Bid Stays the Course
The”Pamoja” (Together) bid, a historic joint venture between the three East African neighbors, had recently come under fire from media speculation questioning the region’s infrastructure readiness. Motsepe addressed these concerns head-on, drawing parallels to previous skeptics who doubted host nations like Cameroon and Ivory Coast.
“I am enormously confident that we will succeed,” Motsepe declared. “Will there be challenges? There are always challenges. But we have to believe in ourselves as Africans. We are going to have a celebration in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.”
The tournament is confirmed for the June-July 2027 window. This specific scheduling is designed to ensure the competition concludes before Kenya’s general elections in August 2027, avoiding any political or logistical overlaps.
Expanding the Horizon: 28 Teams and a New Cycle
Beyond the 2027 hosting duties, Motsepe utilized the Dar es Salaam briefing to unveil a transformative roadmap for African football:
28-Team Expansion: CAF plans to expand the AFCON field from 24 to 28 teams. Motsepe noted that this move is intended to “strengthen competitiveness” and allow more nations to experience the continent’s biggest stage.
Four-Year Cycle: Reaffirming a decision made in late 2025, the tournament will officially move to a quadrennial (every four years) format after the 2028 edition.
African Nations League: To maintain competitive momentum and revenue during the new four-year gaps, CAF will launch an “African Nations League” in 2029.
Protecting the Game’s Integrity
The CAF President also touched on the disciplinary fallout from the 2025 AFCON final in Morocco, which was marred by player protests and security incidents. Motsepe expressed “deep disappointment” over the events and promised that CAF statutes would be amended to allow for stricter judicial punishments for conduct that tarnishes the reputation of African football.
As technical teams continue their inspections of stadiums—including the Talanta Sports City in Nairobi and the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam—the message from CAF is clear: the road to 2027 runs straight through East Africa.
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