Kampala, Uganda: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has deployed a team of technical experts to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to inspect stadiums and assess readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The East African trio won the rights to host the tournament, branded PAMOJA 2027, after defeating a joint bid from Nigeria and Benin. The championship will mark a historic first for the region and signal the end of CAF’s biennial tournament cycle before transitioning to a four-year format.
The inspection tour, which began this week and runs until February 17, involves detailed evaluations of match venues and training facilities across the three host nations.
In Uganda, the CAF delegation is assessing Mandela National Stadium, along with designated training sites in Kampala and Entebbe.
The team will also inspect Hoima City Stadium, a facility earmarked as one of Uganda’s key venues for the continental showpiece.
CAF experts are reviewing pitch quality, safety standards, security arrangements and overall infrastructure readiness to ensure compliance with world-class hosting benchmarks.
Tanzania and Kenya Inspections
In Tanzania, inspections started in Dar es Salaam at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and will extend to Arusha and Zanzibar. CAF will also assess Samia Suluhu Stadium, Amaan Stadium and Fumba Stadium.
Meanwhile, in Kenya, the delegation is inspecting Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo Stadium and Talanta Sports Stadium in Nairobi. Training facilities including Ulinzi Sports Complex and the Kenya Academy of Sports are also under review.
CAF said the inspections form part of a broader strategy to elevate African football infrastructure and operational standards.
“CAF’s inspections form part of a broader strategy to raise standards on and off the pitch across African football. By driving consistent, world-class benchmarks in infrastructure, operations and venue management, CAF aims to enhance the AFCON’s reputation as among the leading football tournaments in the world,” the governing body said in a statement.
CAF added that it will continue working closely with the three governments and Local Organising Committees (LOCs) to intensify delivery planning and ensure preparations stay on course.
Despite the ambitious plans, concerns persist as several stadium projects across the three countries are still under renovation or construction.
In Kenya, speculation has emerged about potential scheduling complications linked to the country’s upcoming general elections next year. However, Patrice Motsepe has publicly reaffirmed CAF’s commitment to staging the tournament as scheduled in 2027.
AFCON 2027 will be followed by the 2028 edition before the competition officially shifts to a four-year cycle.
For Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, PAMOJA 2027 represents not only a football milestone but also a regional integration moment, with infrastructure development, tourism and economic activity expected to surge ahead of kickoff.
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