CAF President Dismisses Request to Move AFCON 2027 from East Africa

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has come out to dismiss an outrageous call to move the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) away from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania due to infrastructural challenges.

Motsepe spoke on Saturday, January 17, during a press conference in Morocco, where he was asked by Ivorian Journalist Mamadou Gaye about the possibility of moving the prestigious competition to countries which are better poised in terms of infrastructure and resources.

Gaye had initially launched a scathing critique of the East African nations, claiming that the road networks would pose a challenge for travelling teams throughout the competition.

"The next one (AFCON) is heading to 3 East African countries, where I have been. No roads connecting the countries. Some of my colleagues from East Africa told me that from one country to another one will take you 2 days to drive," Gaye claimed during the press conference.

"Then my biggest worry, and many are worried, are we are going to lower the standards by going to East Africa. What is the solution forward? Is there any possibility that it will be taken away from those countries?"

In response, the CAF boss underlined the body's commitment to African development through football, emphasising that it would be counter-productive for only more established nations to host lucrative tournaments.

"You’ve got to create opportunities for all African countries to develop infrastructure. I am confident that the AFCON will be successful. I know there will be challenges,"  Motsepe said.

The CAF boss cited the African Nations Championships (CHAN), which was co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in August 2025, saying the fact that the countries managed to successfully oversee the regional tournament was proof that they could mastermind a successful AFCON.

He went on,  "That's why I wanted CHAN to take place in those countries, because it would give the chance to develop. We are not going to take the competition away from those countries because I am convinced it will be successful."

According to Motsepe, logistical challenges were part of the planning process in any tournament, regardless of the location. He drew parallels from the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA and Mexico, insisting they would also face one or two infrastructural challenges.

As far as the AFCON is concerned, the tournament will undergowholesome changes from 2028as Motsepe announced in December that the tournament would be held every four years, instead of the traditional two.

Under the revised schedule, the 2025 edition was held in Morocco, followed by the East Africa edition in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzaniaunder the “Pamoja” joint bid.

CAF will then stage an additional “bridge” tournament in 2028, with the host nation yet to be announced, before fully transitioning to a quadrennial format from 2032 onwards.

Motsepe said the changes were made after consultations with FIFA  to resolve the persistent scheduling conflicts that have long affected AFCON, particularly clashes with European club competitions.