Postponement not an option as Kenya races to be ready for Afcon 2027

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has urged next year's Africa Cup of Nations co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to demonstrate a "heightened sense of urgency" in preparing for the event. The tournament will return to East Africa for the first time in 51 years, with the opening match set for June 19 and the final on July 17. Stadiums are expected to be ready for testing within three months, and CAF president Motsepe insists there is "little room for delay" in the preparations.

While acknowledging "very good progress," Motsepe noted that some facilities are still below the required level, emphasizing that Kenya's infrastructure, facilities, and stadiums must meet "world-class" standards. Despite some delays, Motsepe reiterated there is "no consideration of a postponement," as there is a "deep amount of commitment" from all involved parties.

During his inspection visit to Kenya, Motsepe toured Nairobi's Kasarani Stadium and the newly constructed Talanta Stadium, with one of the main concerns being the playing surface at Kasarani, which has yet to be laid. The stadium is set to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, awarded to Nairobi ahead of London and Rome. CAF president Motsepe also addressed security issues for VIPs and heads of state, stating that some stadium designs may need to be reconfigured.

Kenya's sports cabinet secretary, Salim Mvurya, assured CAF and Kenyans that preparations would be completed on time, promising to accelerate efforts by December to allow for test matches in various facilities. The significance of December lies in Motsepe's scheduled return for a final assessment visit in January. Recent CAF tournaments have faced delays, with the 2024 African Nations Championship postponed from February 2025 to August 2025, and the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast moved to early 2024 due to concerns about the rainy season.

Motsepe's former deputy also noted that CAF faces a "scheduling nightmare" to fit its biennial tournaments into the crowded football calendar. Some pundits suggest that the decision to play the men's AFCON every four years after 2028 may be part of the reasoning behind this. Nairobi's Kasarani Stadium, under renovation, will host Africa's first-ever World Athletics Championships in 2029, further emphasizing the sporting legacy and economic transformation Kenya aims to achieve by hosting the 2027 AFCON.