The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has firmly denied reports suggesting that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) might be relocated from East Africa.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania won the bid to jointly host next year’s tournament, but recent media speculation raised concerns about the readiness of the host nations.
Speaking at a press conference in Dar es Salaam following a CAF Executive Committee meeting, Motsepe addressed the rumours directly, expressing frustration at what he described as a “misinterpretation” of his comments.
“I admit there will be challenges like we witnessed in Cameroon and Ivory Coast. I was asked to strip off the hosting rights due to infrastructure concerns, but we supported these countries, and the tournament ended in a success,” Motsepe told reporters, emphasising that the three nations are making significant strides in their preparations.
“As CAF, we will work tirelessly to ensure that AFCON 2027 will be a success,” he added.
Motsepe also highlighted the broader role of AFCON in developing African football, arguing that limiting the tournament to nations with world-class infrastructure would hinder the sport’s growth across the continent.
By reaffirming CAF’s commitment in Tanzania, Motsepe sought to quell speculation and redirect global attention to the progress being made in Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam.
