‘Preparations start yesterday’ - CAF boss ramps up pressure on East Africa over AFCON 2027

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FOOTBALL ‘Preparations start yesterday’ - CAF boss ramps up pressure on East Africa over AFCON 2027

Joel Omotto 09:04 - 24.02.2024

CAF has told the ‘EAC Pamoja Bid’ team to walk the talk in as far as preparations for AFCON 2027 is concerned if they have to outdo the success of Cote d’Ivoire.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has urged East Africa to walk the talk if they have to ensure they host a successful 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania’s ‘EAC Pamoja Bid’ won the hosting rights for the continental tournament due in three years’ time and have started preparing their infrastructure, most specifically the stadiums, for the event.

That has also been accompanied by messages of assurances from Sports Ministers from the three nations and CAF is keen to ensure the words are matched by action.

CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba, who had a meeting with Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and got briefed on the country’s progress, warned the region not to take matters lightly since Cote d’Ivoire set the standards high following a successful AFCON 2023 that was lauded the world over.

“First, commitment, you are three so you must all be committed to do this,” Mosengo-Omba told the CECAFA General Assembly in Mombasa on Friday.

“This is year, we will have CHAN and I told him [Namwamba] Cote d’Ivoire put the bar high. CAF delivered a top AFCON, it is not me saying that, it is the media saying it and all over the world we are receiving congratulations.

“The credit is not just to the CAF administration but to all of you because you believe in having AFCON be the top product in the world.

“With AFCON here in 2027, preparations start yesterday and this is a wonderful region in the continent, combined with the AFCON.”

It is just extra pressure for the region which is anticipating a taste of the AFCON for the first time since the tournament’s inception.

The three countries have already started improving their stadiums in readiness for the tournament and calls to finish the work on time will persist from the continental governing body which will also make inspection visits.

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