CAF president upbeat on 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa, admits challenges remain | OneFootball

CAF president Patrice Motsepe says next year's Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa can be a major success despite issues still to solve.

Speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg, he urged confidence in his people, accepted there may be setbacks and stressed the need to move forward. According to L'Équipe, he did not dwell on specific concerns.

The 2027 finals run from 19 June to 17 July, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda co-hosting for the first time. Motsepe also praised the work of the heads of state in the three countries.

Stadium readiness remains under scrutiny. Nairobi's 60,000-seat Talanta Stadium is being built and the Moi International Sports Centre, capacity 48,000, is undergoing renovation, while CAF has yet to confirm the tournament venues.

Qualifying begins in September and is scheduled to conclude in March, with 24 teams to make the finals. It will be the last edition in its current format, as the competition will move to a four-year cycle with a 37th edition in 2028. Bids for 2028, 2032 and 2036 are open, and Motsepe said early applications are encouraging.

Source: L'Équipe