AFCON 2027: East Africa Feeling the Heat After Morocco Sets the Bar High

Following the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco handed over the flag to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, signaling a shift of responsibility.

That means the three East African nations are now in the eyes of Africa and the world as they are the next hosts of AFCON, set to take place in 2027.

It is an enormous responsibility for a region that has never hosted AFCON before and their job is made more difficult by the fact that Morocco set the bar so high by hosting a memorable tournament.

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From well-manured training grounds, pristine playing pitches and great stadiums, the experience for players in Morocco was great while in security, transport, crowd control, accreditation and accommodation, the North African nation impressed.

Heading to AFCON 2027, East Africa has to get it right, starting with existing match venues, which will need a lot of work while some are still under construction.

In Kenya, 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium, which is under construction, will be the main venue, alongside Kasarani, which underwent renovations for the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024), and will still need more work, will host matches.

In Uganda, it will be the 60,000-seater Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) and Hoima Stadium, currently under construction, while in Tanzania the 60,000-seater Benjamin Mkapa, the 30,000-capacity Samia Suluhu Hassan stadium in Arusha, and a new 32,000-capacity stadium in Dodoma are earmarked for the matches.

Besides, transport, accommodation security, accreditation and crowd control are some of the things the three countries must get spot on. East Africa is confident of a great AFCON 2027 tournament and they are pinning their hopes on the experience gathered from CHAN 2024.

“We have the capacity, we have what it takes both infrastructure and amenities within the country, including our teams. It is a very good opportunity for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, to showcase what we have as a country,” said Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi.

“We know we shall make it. We did it during CHAN and we did learn. We have the support of the President of CAF and the executive Presidents of the three nations and we will make it even better.”

Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed said: “After setting new standards with the most successful CHAN in history, we are determined to raise the bar even higher in 2027. The journey begins now.”

Uganda AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee Secretariat Operations Manager Decolas Kizza, admits Morocco has set the bar too high but remains confident of a great tournament in East Africa.

“Morocco has had an accreditation system different from the others and I am sure the accreditation methodologies that we used for CHAN 2024 will have to be slightly different,” said Kizza.

“They also have a safety and management system, the infrastructure and level of cleanliness and sanitation is higher than every other AFCON, and these are very big lessons.”

However, all agree that to stage a great AFCON 2027, they cannot take shortcuts otherwise the region will be left red-faced.

“There is no compromise in terms of quality, organisation and commitments that you need to put in to achieve what Morocco has achieved. They have set a new bar and standard,” Mohammed further said.

Over to you, East Africa.