Motsepe debunked speculation surrounding a change of 2027 AFCON host while speaking to journalists after an inspection tour of the three host countries.
By Kehinde Okeowo
President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has denied reports that the football governing body is exploring contingency plans for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following concerns over Kenya and Uganda’s readiness to host the tournament alongside Tanzania.
The three East African countries are scheduled to co-host the 36th edition of the competition from 19 June to 17 July 2027, marking the tournament’s return to the CECAFA region for the first time since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976.
However, French publication Le Monde recently reported that CAF has contacted Morocco, South Africa, and Algeria as possible standby hosts should the East African countries fail to meet the required deadlines.
Additionally, the publication asserted that Ivory Coast and Egypt have also reportedly emerged as potential alternatives over concerns about delays in stadium construction, accommodation, and other logistical requirements.
Reacting, Motsepe, while acknowledging that significant work remains to be done, maintained that there is no change to the hosting arrangement.
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Speaking to journalists after an inspection tour of the three host countries, the South African football administrator said CAF was not considering “either a Plan B or a Plan C”.
Meanwhile, CAF is expected to conduct further inspections in the coming months before determining whether Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania can meet the requirements to host the tournament.
Previously, the African football governing body has moved AFCON tournaments to alternative countries when hosts’ preparations have fallen behind schedule.
For instance, the 2013 tournament was moved from Libya to South Africa, while the 2015 edition was switched from Morocco to Equatorial Guinea.
The 2017 edition was also moved from Libya to Gabon, while Cameroon lost the 2019 hosting rights to Egypt after delays to its preparations. Guinea was also replaced by Morocco as host of the 2025 edition.
