Despite the rhetoric, uncertainty is barely dissipating. The enthusiasm of the "Pamoja" project (Together, in Swahili) is now being met with the reality of deadlines. If CAF still refuses to brandish the threat of a withdrawal from the organization of the AFCON 2027, its latest communication rings like a serious warning for the East African trio.
The Talanta stadium in the sights
At the heart of the concerns is the Talanta stadium in Nairobi. Flagship of the Kenyan file, this ultra-modern venue dedicated to football is experiencing a symbolic delivery delay. Whereas completion was initially expected by the end of 2025, the latest inspections from the Kenyan Senate now indicate delivery at best for July 2026. Although local authorities assure that the budget is secured, CAF is concerned about the increasingly limited scope to test the infrastructure before the tournament scheduled for August 2027.
A mixed regional assessment
Kenya is not the only one under surveillance. In Uganda, the modernization of the Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) and the construction of the Hoima City Stadium are being closely monitored. Ugandan Sports Minister Peter Ogwang had to defend his record in Parliament on 15 April, trying to reassure about the release of massive funds to meet CAF’s strict standards.
A delegation from the CAF came to inquire about the progress of the work, and for its part submitted an alarming inspection report.
"None of the stadiums proposed by Uganda fully meets the requirements of CAF category 4 (highest level of certification)"
is stated in the report consulted by Sport News Africa.
In Tanzania, while work seems to be progressing more smoothly at some sites, the harmonization of reception and transport infrastructure between the three nations remains a colossal logistical challenge.
Expected policy response
Faced with this warning shot, the reaction did not take long. The Kenyan Minister of Sports, Salim Mvurya, received on 14 April in Nairobi the new acting secretary general of CAF, Samson Adamu.
«We are fully committed to delivering a tournament that meets international standards. A high-level "Pamoja" meeting will be held next week to unblock critical political decisions,
said the minister.
The stakes are high for the region: Kenya still remembers the trauma of the withdrawal of the AFCON 1996 and CHAN 2018 for similar reasons. Time is of the essence, and for CAF, budget promises must now give way to concrete delivery of infrastructure, or history will repeat itself.
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À propos de l'auteur
Philemon MBALE
Rédacteur sportif
Passionné de sport depuis toujours, partage avec vous les dernières actualités et analyses du monde sportif.