AFCON 2027: Stringent CAF Training Ground Regulations Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania Must Meet

Following the conclusion of an inspection tour of key facilities set to be used for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations by Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials, the ball is now in the court of host nations.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host AFCON 2027 and the three countries received a shot in the arm when CAF boss Patrice Motsepe cleared any doubts about when the tournament will be staged.

Motsepe’s statement came when CAF officials were already in East Africa looking at key facilities and while attention has been on stadiums, another key component for the successful hosting of AFCON is the training grounds.

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The officials were in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Nairobi and Kampala with a focus on “safety, security, and infrastructure readiness” as revealed by Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed.

With work ongoing on stadiums, focus will also shift to the training grounds and in Kenya, Nyayo Stadium, Ulinzi Sports Complex, Kenya Police Sacco Grounds, Kasarani Annex A and B as well as two outdoor pitches at Talanta Stadium have been identified as the training facilities.

The Ministry of Sports has also mentioned Thika Stadium, whose construction has commenced, as another possible training ground as well as the Kenya Academy of Sports.

However, for these facilities to be certified by CAF, they will have to meet certain strict regulations laid out by Africa’s football governing body.

The most important one is the pith and the surface must have a smooth and level field that has either natural grass, hybrid or an artificial turf that contain only football lines and markings.

The grass must have a height of between 20-30m and with a proper drainage system to avoid flooding when it rains. It must also have a water sprinkler for optimal conditions and for constant moisture needed for healthy grass.

Kenya used natural grass across all training grounds during CHAN 2024 and all indications point to the same given the facilities used for the tournament will be the same for AFCON 2027.

Meanwhile, the training grounds must have a minimum length of 100m and maximum of 110m while the width has to be between 64m and 75m.

Further, the training ground must have two movable goals that allows teams to design their drills as they wish and next to the field, there has to be a bench that has not less that 20 seats for reserve players as well as team officials.

Floodlights with a minimum capacity of 500 LUX is a must for night training plus one dressing room that has 23 seats, lockers, at least five showers, three urinals, as many sinks and toilets.

There must be a secure fence around the chosen training facility as well as well-manned entrance and exits.

Kenya met most of the requirements during CHAN but a few facilities fell short and for AFCON 2027, there will be no compromises given the magnitude of the tournament.

With CAF confirming that AFCON 2027 will be held between June and July next year, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have a little under one-and-half years to be ready.