By Spy Uganda
East Africa’s preparations to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations are entering a critical phase, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stepping up inspections and engagement with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania as the three countries work towards delivering the continent’s biggest football tournament.
Despite some outstanding infrastructure projects, CAF is continuing to work with the three host nations rather than considering alternative hosts, providing a major boost to East Africa’s preparations for the 24-team tournament scheduled for June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Senior CAF officials recently completed an eight-day inspection tour across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, bringing together specialists from competitions, safety and security, transport, marketing, media, television and logistics.
The inspection has given CAF a clearer assessment of the work still required ahead of the tournament and is expected to help the host countries prioritise key areas as construction and renovation projects enter their final stages.
Kenya is among the countries undertaking major new construction for the tournament, with the 60,000-capacity Talanta Stadium in Nairobi steadily taking shape.
The stadium is reportedly around 90 percent complete, with work recently advancing on the playing surface as contractors laid the field and integrated synthetic turf with natural grass.
The facility is viewed as a potential venue for some of AFCON 2027’s biggest matches, including the final, although CAF has not yet confirmed which stadiums will host the tournament’s key fixtures.
Tanzania is also making progress at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, where a six-month renovation programme has included the installation of new seats and upgrades to changing rooms.
The stadium is nearing completion of the renovation work and remains one of the major venues available to the East African hosts.
In Uganda, attention is focused on the renovation of Mandela National Stadium, commonly known as Namboole, which is undergoing improvements ahead of the tournament.
The country is also preparing the new Hoima City Stadium, which is expected to host a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier when Uganda’s Cranes face Libya later this month.
The development of multiple venues across the three countries is part of a wider effort to ensure that East Africa is ready to welcome teams and supporters from across Africa.
CAF has not yet assigned the key matches, including the final, to specific venues, leaving room for further assessment as construction and renovation work progresses.
The final venue is expected to attract particular attention, with Nairobi’s new Talanta Stadium among the facilities that could potentially compete for the tournament’s showpiece match if it is completed and certified in time.
CAF has maintained that preparations remain on course while making it clear that the host countries must meet the required standards.
“CAF will continue its technical inspections and engagements with the host countries to ensure world-class facilities and infrastructure for next year’s tournament,” the continental football body said.
The continued inspections are therefore being viewed not only as a monitoring exercise but also as part of CAF’s efforts to support the three countries as they complete the remaining work.
With less than a year before the tournament kicks off, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania now face the final stretch of preparations.
While challenges remain, the progress on new stadiums and renovations, coupled with CAF’s continued engagement with the hosts, offers renewed confidence that East Africa can deliver a successful AFCON 2027.
