CAF inspection team in Nairobi to assess AFCON facilities

The technical inspection team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has arrived in Nairobi as preparations intensify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya received the delegation led by CAF Head of Competitions Khaled Nassar, saying Kenya remains committed to meeting CAF requirements and delivering a successful continental tournament alongside co-hosts Uganda and Tanzania.

The inspection follows recent PAMOJA Oversight engagements, during which the three host nations reaffirmed their collective commitment to delivering a memorable AFCON and positioning East Africa as a leading sports and tourism destination.

“For the three countries, this is the first time that we are hosting a continental tournament. West Africa, North Africa, and South Africa have been ahead of us on matters football, and therefore this is a golden opportunity for us.

“We had a meeting on Monday as a Pamoja oversight committee bringing together the three ministers from Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, and we ran through the key motions of organizing this tournament, and we all committed to host a successful Africa Cup of Nations,” said Mvurya.

The CAF team will assess competition venues, training facilities and supporting infrastructure in Nairobi before proceeding to Eldoret, where it will inspect Kipchoge Keino Stadium as a potential alternative competition venue.

According to the CS, the team will also assess proposed training grounds, accommodation and medical facilities, among other critical tournament infrastructure in Eldoret.

He affirmed that hosting AFCON is part of the Government’s broader investment in sports development and our ambition to position sport as a major economic frontier by creating opportunities for young people, strengthening sports tourism and attracting investment.

Mvurya says Kenya remains focused on delivering the required infrastructure while ensuring the PAMOJA 2027 AFCON leaves a lasting sporting and economic legacy for the country.

“And therefore, this inspection visit is in tandem with our commitment, first of all, to address the matters of infrastructure, but we also committed on cross-border mobility—the movement between, you know, in the three countries. Kenya already has a free visa policy for Africa, but we will also enhance as we operationalize the single visa with our colleagues in the East Africa region,” he added.