Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to Co-host 2027 AFCON

• The East Africa Pamoja Bid was given the rights
• Senegal, Botswana and a joint bid from Nigeria and Benin were also considered
• It is the first time in 40 years East Africa will host the AFCON

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the East Africa Pamoja bid won the rights. The CAF Executive Committee voted in favor of the East African bid, with the announcement made by CAF boss Patrice Motsepe in Cairo.

To win the bid, Kenya beat stiff competition from reigning African champions Senegal, a joint bid by Nigeria and Benin as well as Botswana. Algeria had also shown interest in bidding for the showpiece, but pulled out a day before the EXCO made its decision.

“We are excited that the AFCON will go to East Africa. They presented a very beautiful bid and we will walk with them, holding their hands and guiding them as well as constantly assessing the progress they are making,” CAF boss Motsepe said as he announced the decision.

He also added that government assurances especially from the heads of state of the three nations; William Ruto of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania was very key in swinging the vote to East Africa.

First time in over 40 years 

This will be the second time in history and the first in closely over 40 years that East Africa will host the tournament, with Ethiopia having hosted in 1976.

Kenya was represented in Cairo by high ranking government officials led by Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba and his Principal Secretary Peter Tum. Also presentwas Parliament’s Sports Committee chair Dan Wanyama as well as FKF president Nick Mwendwa.

Uganda and Tanzania also sent their ministers as well as football officials to Cairo for the event, and all could not hide their excitement after the bid was accepted.

“We have convinced our colleagues at CAF that East Africa can do this. Now the work begins. Everyone has to pull together to ensure that we deliver a successful tournament,” said FKF president Mwendwa, speaking shortly after the announcement.

Kenya has already earmarked the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, the Nyayo National Stadium, the Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret and the Jamhuri Grounds as venues for the tournament.

Last week, Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba handed over the construction works to the Kenya Defense Forces, who are going to be in charge of all the works, including building the Jamhuri Grounds, then to be named Talanta Stadium, from scratch.

President Ruto promises support 

At the same time, President William Ruto has promised that the government will pull all stops to ensure that Kenya will host a successful event.

“Many people never believed that we had the chance of hosting AFCON in 2027 because of the state of our football and sports in general but I am very proud today because Kenya with Uganda and Tanzania has won the rights to host. We are proud of this achievement,” President Ruto said.

He added; “We will mobilize every resource and every person and sector to make sure we deliver a world class football event in 2027. We will make sure whatever infrastructure is required will be made available to make sure we move Kenya to next level in our sports industry.”