CAF President Patrice Motsepe Defends East Africa's Hosting of AFCON 2027 Amid Critism

In a fiery press conference on the eve of the AFCON 2025 final in Morocco, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe staunchly defended the decision to award the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to East Africa, specifically Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The remarks came in response to pointed skepticism from Senegalese journalist Mamadou Gaye, who questioned the region’s readiness to host the continent’s premier football tournament, citing concerns over infrastructure and travel logistics.

Gaye, a veteran African football expert known for his outspoken views, argued that hosting the event across three countries could “downgrade” the standard of African football. He claimed that inadequate road networks might force fans and teams to endure journeys lasting up to two days between venues, potentially disrupting the tournament’s flow and diminishing its prestige compared to Morocco’s seamless 2025 edition.

Motsepe, however, dismissed these concerns emphatically, emphasizing CAF’s commitment to spreading football development across the entire continent rather than limiting it to nations with top-tier facilities. “I have a duty to develop football all over Africa – I can’t have football only in those countries with the best infrastructure,” Motsepe stated. “But I am confident that the AFCON in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will be enormously successful. We are not going to take the competition away from these countries.”

Addressing the travel issue head-on, Motsepe highlighted the region’s connectivity, noting that all three host nations—Kenya Airways, Uganda Airlines, and Air Tanzania—operate daily flights throughout East Africa.

This rebuttal was echoed by Ugandan sports journalist Clive Kyazze, who shared the video clip on X (formerly Twitter), captioning it: “Someone tell #MamadouGaye that all three countries have national airlines that fly around the region everyday.”

The exchange shows ongoing debates about equity in African football hosting rights. East Africa’s joint bid, known as the Pamoja Bid, was selected in September 2023, marking the first time the region will host AFCON since Ethiopia in 1976. Preparations have been underway, with significant investments in stadiums like Kenya’s Kasarani and Talanta Sports City, Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, and Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), postponed to August and also set to be hosted by the trio, will serve as a crucial test run.

Motsepe’s defense wasn’t limited to logistics; he also announced a major structural change for the tournament. Starting after the 2027 edition, AFCON will shift from its biennial schedule to every four years, aligning it with global competitions like the UEFA Euros and Copa America. “And we will do the heavy lifting,” Motsepe assured, referring to CAF’s support for the East African hosts in meeting international standards.

The press conference wasn’t without tension. Motsepe sharply rebuked another journalist who accused CAF of “running Africa for Europeans,” retorting: “Keep quiet. You’re wrong. Your facts are incorrect. You’re absolutely wrong. It’s nonsense. It’s rubbish.” 10 This highlights the pressures facing CAF leadership amid criticisms of foreign influence and tournament management.

For East Africans, Motsepe’s words are a vote of confidence. In Uganda, where excitement is building around the Namboole Stadium’s recent renovations, fans and officials alike see AFCON 2027 as an opportunity to showcase the region’s passion for football and boost tourism.

Kenyan President William Ruto has similarly assured Motsepe of his country’s commitment to infrastructure upgrades.

As Morocco wraps up what has been hailed as one of the best-organized AFCONs to date, the spotlight now shifts eastward. Despite the doubters, Motsepe’s unwavering support signals that East Africa is ready to step up and deliver a tournament that celebrates the diversity and unity of African football.

Stay tuned to Sport Blot for more updates on AFCON 2025 and preparations for 2027. #AFCON2027 #PamojaBid #AfricanFootball