CAF's Motsepe Demands Urgent AFCON 2027 Preparations

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe, has called for an accelerated pace in preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) co-hosted by Tanzania and Kenya. Following recent inspections, Motsepe emphasized that stadiums must be ready for testing by January 2027, leaving organizers with limited time to address construction and technical issues.

While he acknowledged progress, he noted that some venues, particularly Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, still require significant work on the playing surface, broadcast cabling, floodlights, and VIP facilities. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya, has committed to completing outstanding preparations by December to facilitate test matches before CAF's January assessment.

The urgency of the preparations is underscored by the historical context of the postponed African Nations Championship in February 2025, which was delayed due to inadequate facilities. CAF's focus is not only on the physical completion of stadiums but also on ensuring operational readiness for the tournament.