Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania Jointly Win Bid To Host AFCON 2027

Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania under the PAMOJA bid will co-host the AFCON 2027.

The PAMOJA Africa Cup of Nations bid beat Algeria and Senegal. The last time an East African Member Association hosted the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations tournament was in 1970 by Sudan.

The East Africa’s Pamoja Bid by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on Wednesday won the rights to host the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.

The PAMOJA beat other bids from Botswana, Egypt and Senegal following a vote conducted by members of the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during their meeting in Cairo.

During the event, Uganda was represented by FUFA president Eng Moses’s Magogo, Hon Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi and other federation executives.

Only two Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) countries have hosted the Afcon, with Sudan staging the first edition in 1957 and again in 1970. Ethiopia hosted in 1962, 1968, and 1976.

Algeria, had withdrawn their bid to host either the 2025 or 2027 finals on the eve of the vote.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, CAF president Patrice Motsepe pointed at the strictness on required standards to the three countries.

” You have all the heads of states, President Museveni, President Ruto, and President Samia expressing deep commitment. I just want to say we are very strict in terms of the requirements that we are placing on these countries both in terms of freedom of movement of people in and out of the country and the support of the infrastructure. We will be sending teams to form an evaluation of the progress that has been made.”

No like the other two countries, Kenya that had got the nod from CAF to host the 1996 continental showpiece, had the hosting rights later handed to South Africa for lack of stadia readiness, joined hands with neighbours Tanzania and Uganda in May for the joint bid.

CAF also stripped Kenya of the rights to host the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) owing to lack of enough facilities.

The government has already announced the closure of  Kasarani, Nyayo and Kip Keino stadiums for renovations in the race to host the 24-nations biennial tournament.

CAF earlier in July, inspected the key venues should be in Uganda that were proposed.

The proposed facilities in Uganda include; Mulago Hospital, Sheraton Hotel and Kampala Serena Hotel, approved training Grounds include;  Kampala International School Uganda (KISU), Muteesa II Stadium Wankulukuku, Denver Godwin Stadium, St. Mary’s Stadium and Nakivubo Stadium.

The proposed Stadiums include; Mandela National Stadium, Akii Bua Stadium and Hoima (Proposed for construction).

Entebbe International Airport, Kabalega Airport, Hoima are the proposed Airports to be used during the continent’s biggest piece.