Motsepe exudes confidence with PAMOJA AFCON 2027 preparations

Confidence radiates from Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr. Patrice Motsepe as preparations for the 2027 PAMOJA AFCON take shape. Speaking in a media briefing, Motsepe expressed optimism about the joint co-hosting of the tournament by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. "The world will be coming to Kenya, Africa will be coming to Kenya," he stated, emphasizing the message of self-belief and patriotism that the tournament brings.

However, Motsepe was not entirely satisfied with the ongoing construction works at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. He acknowledged progress but noted that some areas require improvements, including changes to the presidential suite and the lifting of VIPs. "There’s a huge amount of progress that has been made; it’s visible. There’s a new stadium coming from Kasarani and good progress has been made," he said. Motsepe also highlighted the need for reconfiguration due to the presence of 700 VIPs and heads of state.

Despite these concerns, Motsepe reaffirmed that the tournament will proceed as planned in Kenya. He emphasized the importance of delivering a world-class experience for spectators, players, and broadcasting delegations. A team of 21 experts was assembled to ensure these standards were met. Motsepe will return to Kenya in January for a final inspection of the AFCON facilities across the three East African host countries.

Each host country will host its own opening ceremony and match, similar to the FIFA World Cup format. Motsepe expressed his satisfaction with Kenya's progress in hosting the event, stating that sports is not just entertainment but a source of livelihood and economic transformation for the country. The Sports CS Salim Mvurya echoed Motsepe's sentiments, reaffirming the Kenyan government's commitment to delivering the best AFCON.