AFCON 2027 Organization : Uganda is not on schedule
Coming last month to Uganda to inspect the progress of work for the organization of the African Cup of Nations 2027, the CAF delegation published a salty report. In addition to the pitch and stadium issues, it is all the structural equipment necessary for the organization of the event that is currently lacking, from hotel facilities to the airport through the roads.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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Already impacted by the delays of Kenya, the AFCON 2027 "Pamoja", together in Swahili, also suffers from the problems encountered by another organizing country, Uganda.
The CAF delegation, which came to the site in February to assess the projects and compliance with the specifications, did not mince its words according to a report obtained by Sport News Africa.
"None of the stadiums proposed by Uganda fully meets the requirements of CAF category 4 (highest level of accreditation),"
the document begins.
The renovation of the Mandela National Stadium will not be ready in 15 months
If the brand new Hoima City Stadium has been finalised, several major malfunctions currently prevent the CAF from approving it, notably because of the stands (no clear marker differentiating the different categories of spectators), the changing rooms (referees and players), spaces allocated to media or the position of the benches. Tasks that are slow but obviously not insurmountable.
This observation does not apply to the renovation of the Mandela National Stadium which suffers from "significant gaps in terms of compliance". The proposals put forward were not respected (partial destruction of the west grandstand, replacement of the roof, etc.) and the CAF even writes in bold: "The initial 15-month deadline is incompatible with the delivery conditions planned for the AFCON 2027."
The training grounds also have delays, from the lawns to the necessary structures next to them such as changing rooms or transport envisaged.
New visit planned in August
Planning an inspection in August, the CAF warned Uganda to present serious progress, and not only at the stadium level.
Hoima airport must prove that it has the capabilities to support "international arrivals" and the logistics for such a tournament. Hotel capacity must have at least one five-star, fifty-room rating – which is not the case – while the road corridor between Hoima and Kampala will need to be advanced to at least 40%.
Medical structures are also not spared, knowing that the report clearly states that the CAF is still waiting for "formal confirmation including reference hospitals and emergency medical services capable of supporting the conditions required for a competition".
Something to worry about the AFCON 2027, already disrupted by delays in Kenya, despite the encouraging statements from Patrice Motsepe. An optimism that is not shared by its Executive Committee, convinced that the Africa Cup will not be played on the announced dates and that the excuse of elections next summer in Kenya will be put forward to justify what everyone has been seeing for a long time...