Patrice Motsepe has praised the progress being made by East African nations as preparations continue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with Kenya receiving particular recognition during the Confederation of African Football president’s visit to Nairobi.
Speaking during engagements in the Kenyan capital, Motsepe highlighted what he described as important advances in the country’s readiness to co-host Africa’s biggest football tournament alongside its regional partners.
The CAF president pointed to recent developments including the fulfilment of key financial obligations and ongoing work on major infrastructure projects linked to the competition.
According to Motsepe, the preparations demonstrate the seriousness with which East African nations are approaching the responsibility of staging one of the continent’s most important sporting events.
“Kenya is amongst the three nations that will host next year’s AFCON… the biggest sporting event on African soil,” he said during his visit.
The 2027 tournament is expected to mark a historic moment for the East African region, with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania preparing to jointly host the competition for the first time.
Motsepe’s trip to Nairobi comes during a critical phase of preparations as CAF intensifies its monitoring of infrastructure, logistics and operational planning across the host nations.
During the visit, the CAF president is holding discussions with government officials and football authorities while also inspecting several major facilities expected to play a central role during the tournament.
Among the key venues under review are the Talanta Sports Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre, commonly known as Kasarani Stadium.
Both venues are considered crucial to Kenya’s hosting plans and are undergoing development and renovation work aimed at meeting CAF standards ahead of the competition.
The inspections form part of CAF’s broader effort to ensure host countries remain on track as the countdown to the tournament continues.
Preparations for AFCON 2027 extend beyond stadium construction, with authorities also focusing on transportation systems, accommodation, security arrangements and other logistical requirements necessary to stage a successful continental event.
Motsepe’s comments are likely to provide encouragement to organisers and local authorities who have faced increasing pressure to deliver projects within the required timelines.
The CAF president has repeatedly emphasised the importance of infrastructure development in African football, arguing that modern facilities are essential not only for hosting tournaments but also for improving the long-term growth of the sport across the continent.
For Kenya and its East African partners, the tournament represents an opportunity to showcase the region’s capacity to organise a major international sporting event while also boosting tourism, investment and regional cooperation.
As preparations move into a more decisive period, CAF is expected to maintain close oversight of progress in all three host nations to ensure readiness well before the opening match.
With momentum gradually building, the focus will now shift toward how effectively the East African hosts can transform planning and promises into successful delivery ahead of one of Africa’s most anticipated football tournaments
