The bidding process for the 2027 AFCON has seen significant interest, with East African neighbors Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania jointly submitting a compelling candidacy through the Pamoja bid.
The anticipation for the hosts of the 2025 and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been extended as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared its revised timeline for the announcement.
Previously aimed for a pre-September revelation, CAF has decided to extend the process, with the final decision scheduled for Wednesday, 27th September 2023.
The decision comes following a highly anticipated Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, where CAF had been expected to deliberate and choose the host nations for both tournaments.
However, CAF President Patrice Motsepe clarified that further discussions were needed.
“We will be meeting again in Cairo on Wednesday, 27th September 2023, to discuss and take decisions relating to the countries that will be awarded the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 and the AFCON 2027,” said President Motsepe.
This postponement reflects CAF’s commitment to ensuring a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of the bids.
The bidding process for the 2027 AFCON has seen significant interest, with East African neighbors Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania jointly submitting a compelling candidacy through the Pamoja bid.
They face stiff competition from Algeria, Senegal, Egypt, and Botswana.
Uganda has been notably active in pushing its bid for the 2027 AFCON, with the country’s football president, Moses Magogo, playing a prominent role in promoting the candidacy.
However, Magogo’s recent exit from the CAF Executive Committee means that the final decision will be made without his direct input.
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda have never hosted AFCON, and are hoping that their bid for the 2027 tournament will be successful.
In July, the East African nations laid their planned venues for CAF’s inspection delegation.
In Uganda, the venues under review include the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, and Nakivubo Stadium
Uganda had also mooted plans to construct two extra venues in Lira and Hoima for the tournament.
Tanzania meanwhile has inked the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium – the only CAF certified stadium within the three stadiums.
The CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza, Chamazi Complex – home to Azam FC, and some venues in Dodoma, Arusha and Zanzibar are the other options Tanzania will look to touch up or invest in to meet standards.
Kenya included the iconic, 60,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), 30,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
PulseSport
