Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has urged East African nations to aspire to the high standards exemplified by Morocco during their hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Following Morocco’s successful organisation of the 2025 edition, the upcoming 36th tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, set to occur from June 19 to July 18.
This marks a milestone as it will be the first occasion three East African countries collaborate to host the continent’s premier football event, and the first time the CECAFA region has held it since Ethiopia in 1976.
During the last tournament in 2025, Morocco raised the bar significantly, with Motsepe noting that the country set the standards “incredibly high” for the continent.
Morocco notably utilised nine stadiums across six cities (Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir, and Fes) for the tournament featuring 24 teams, moving beyond the traditional six-venue format.
The event was characterised by advanced logistics, including high-speed rail connections between host cities, dedicated training facilities for each team, and luxurious accommodation.
In light of these achievements, CAF President Motsepe has urged Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania not to diminish the standards set by Morocco, expressing confidence that the 2027 tournament will also be a triumph.
‘East Africa Must Uphold High Standards’
“Morocco has indeed elevated the standard. I’m not just pleased; I’m genuinely proud of what they have accomplished. Therefore, for the next AFCON, you need to rise to meet and maintain that high standard,” Motsepe articulated, as reported by Pulse Sports.
“That’s why I brought the Executive Committee to Tanzania after the AFCON to convey my confidence in you, and to collaborate on making impactful changes, as I am committed to developing football in East Africa.
“My vision includes advancing football across the entire continent, ensuring growth in every one of Africa’s 54 nations.”
The Moroccan tournament witnessed record-breaking ticket sales and introduced official Fan Parks, enhancing the “We Are Different” theme. Overall, it achieved impressive commercial success, with reports indicating a 90% increase in competition revenue and attracted 23 sponsorships.
To support East Africa in hosting a successful tournament, Motsepe announced plans to visit Kenya for a meeting with the head of state, during which he will assess infrastructure developments.
Motsepe Plans Visit to Kenya
“I’ll be travelling to Kenya for a gathering of heads of state. Initially, I had scheduling conflicts but, upon the request of several heads of state, I’ve rearranged my plans to ensure my presence there on May 12,” Motsepe shared.
“I intend to use this visit to evaluate the infrastructure. CAF has a team based in East Africa, because we believe that in life, effort is rewarded; hard work leads to success.
“Being focused on success increases the likelihood of achieving it, and we are determined to uphold the very high standards we have established for ourselves, so I am confident that we will succeed in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.”
The 2027 AFCON will commemorate the tournament’s 70th anniversary and will be the last edition held in an odd-numbered year, as CAF has announced plans for AFCON to transition to a quadrennial schedule starting from 2028.
This event follows the collaborative hosting of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in February 2025, where Morocco triumphed over Madagascar with a score of 3-2, securing their third CHAN title in just six years.
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