Harambee Stars Forward Fires Back at Critics Over ‘Low Standard’ AFCON 2027 Claim

Harambee Stars forward Boniface Muchiri has weighed in on the debate concerning East Africa’s capacity to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivorian journalist Mamadou Gaye opened a can of worms when he sensationally claimed that next year’s tournament in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be a ‘downgrade’ because of perceived poor transport network and the general infrastructure in the region.

Gaye said AFCON 2025 hosts Morocco had set the bar so high and it would not look good if the tournament went to a region that is ‘not ready,’ suggesting that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) should consider taking it away.

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“AFCON is heading to three East African countries, where I already have been. No roads within the countries. Some of my colleagues from East Africa told me from one country to another it will take you two days to drive,” Mamadou Gaye told CAF boss Patrice Motsepe.

“Then my biggest worry, and many are worried, are we going to lower the standards by going to East Africa? What is the solution forward? Is there any possibility that it will be taken away from those countries?”

His question was met with a firm stance from Motsepe, who insisted East Africa will stage AFCON 2027, and the journalist has since been slammed for disrespecting the region with his comments.

Muchiri is among those who have hit back at Gaye and other critics of East Africa, remaining confident that the region will build on their successful hosting of the 2024 African Nations Championships (AFCON 2024) by staging a memorable AFCON 2027.

“Keep your opinion to yourself...you don't know anything about East Africa (sic) countries and what we capable of doing,” Muchiri posted on Facebook. “We don’t need your approval...CHAN was successful and AFCON 2027 is going to be more successful...respect East Africa.”

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania officially received the flag from Morocco on Sunday after the AFCON 2025 final and now carry the enormous responsibility of staging a great tournament that will shut their critics.