Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe has expressed confidence that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, will be an enormous success.
Motsepe made the remarks following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he reflected on the performances of Africa’s representatives before turning his attention to the continent’s next major football event.
Addressing the media, the CAF president commended the commitment shown by the governments of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, particularly the cooperation among the three Heads of State, in accelerating infrastructure projects and preparations for the tournament.
His comments come amid reports questioning whether the three East African nations will be ready to stage the 2027 AFCON.
Despite those concerns, Motsepe insisted he has every confidence in the hosts’ ability to deliver a successful competition.
“The AFCON in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will be enormously successful. When I went to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, some leaders told me that parts of the stadiums were not complete and were not 100 per cent ready,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with previous major tournaments, Motsepe noted that challenges are common in the build-up to global sporting events and should not overshadow the progress being made.
“When I became CAF President, they said to me, ‘Take this AFCON and make it great again.’ So yes, there are some challenges, but I am proud of the work so far. I am proud of the work that the Heads of State of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are putting in,” he added.
The 2027 AFCON will mark the return of Africa’s flagship football competition to East Africa for the first time in more than five decades. It will also be the 36th edition of the tournament and the first in the competition’s history to be jointly hosted by three countries.
CAF believes the collaboration between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, coupled with ongoing investment in sporting infrastructure, will provide the foundation for a memorable tournament and further strengthen football’s growth across the region.
