Afcon 2027: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda need more urgency to be ready, says Patrice Motsepe

Patrice Motsepe Inspects Nairobi Venues and Demands Faster Progress

Preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations entered a critical juncture as Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe evaluated host venues in Kenya. Motsepe, accompanied by Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya and other officials, inspected the newly constructed 60,000-capacity Talanta Sports City Stadium and the ongoing upgrades at Kasarani Stadium.

While expressing confidence that the three joint host nations will successfully deliver the continental tournament, the CAF leadership made it clear that time is running short. When CAF conducted its previous inspection in mid-February, local organizers were instructed to have stadiums and associated training facilities roughly 80 percent ready by August. Yet Kasarani Stadium and its primary training facility have experienced limited progress over the preceding seven months, leaving critical elements unfinished.

Among the primary challenges is the playing surface at Kasarani, which still requires laying. Inspectors also noted that significant work remains on broadcast and television cabling, floodlights, and stadium sky boxes. Furthermore, Motsepe highlighted that accommodating hundreds of VIPs and visiting heads of state necessitates architectural adjustments.

President William Ruto Confirms Government Commitment at State House

Following the facility tours, President William Ruto met with Motsepe at State House in Nairobi on September 18, 2026, to discuss the tournament schedule. Ruto noted that CAF acknowledged the substantial work already completed at Talanta Sports City Stadium alongside the ongoing renovations at Kasarani.

Addressing the delegation, Ruto emphasized that Kenya remains fully dedicated to meeting international tournament standards.

Dismissing speculation regarding logistical hurdles, Motsepe reiterated that there is no alternative plan for the June and July 2027 competition. There is no Plan B, there is no Plan C, there never will be a Plan B, there never will be a Plan C, Motsepe stated during his tour. He added that while certain areas are falling behind schedule, regional collaboration will resolve the bottlenecks. We’re going to work together, and those areas where we are falling behind, we’ll correct them, we’ll fix them, he noted.

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Integrating Preparations for the 2029 World Athletics Championships

Beyond the immediate demands of AFCON 2027, Nairobi faces a secondary infrastructure deadline. Kasarani Stadium was recently selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, defeating competing bids from London and Rome.

Industry experts have urged local authorities to merge planning efforts across both major sporting events to conserve government expenditures. Mwangi Muthee, who served as CEO for the Nairobi 2017 World U18 Championships, suggested that the AFCON local organizing committee should integrate members of the 2029 World Championship committee. According to Pulse Sports Kenya, Muthee argued that regular monthly synergy meetings would allow organizers to share operational knowledge, reduce overhead costs, and accelerate facility readiness.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya assured both domestic stakeholders and visiting delegates that preparations will be accelerated to meet stringent deadlines.

I assure Caf and Kenyans we will accelerate the preparations for Afcon 2027.

Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Sports, via BBC

Football Leadership and the Road to January 2027

Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed accompanied the CAF delegation throughout the Nairobi venue inspections, which also covered the Raila Odinga International Stadium. Mohammed expressed optimism regarding the infrastructural legacy the tournament will leave behind for local athletes.

“Kenya is ready. Kenya is rising. We are not just preparing to host a tournament; we are building a legacy of world-class infrastructure, youth empowerment, and national pride that will outlive AFCON 2027,”

Hussein Mohammed, Football Kenya Federation President, via The Star

The three co-hosting East African nations now face a narrow window to satisfy infrastructural demands before the next major audit. Motsepe confirmed that CAF will return in January to conduct its final comprehensive assessment of stadium readiness and operational preparedness.