Legislators warn against procrastination in 2027 AFCON preps

Speaking on Wednesday after Bunge FC's training at the Nyayo National Stadium, the lawmakers warned against procrastination in the construction of stadia and renovations, saying Kenya must avoid the shame.

For failing the sporting infrastructure test in 2018, Kenya was stripped of the hosting rights of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a continental championship which involves local based players for competing nations.

It was a repeat of the 1996 embarrassment, when Kenya threw away the opportunity to host the 20th edition of African Cup of Nations for lack of proper stadia.

Eventual hosts South Africa went on to win the tournament, and the legislators feel the reason Kenya failed in the two instances is last minute rush to in basic preparations.

“I want to urge CS Ababu Namwamba and his team in the Ministry of Sports to work round the clock to make sure we have the facilities ready in time because this is an opportunity that we don’t want to miss. Apart from the facilities we must also continue to invest in our team Harambee Stars because it will be very embarrassing if we host the tournament and we are knocked out in the group stage,” said Cheruiyot.

Amollo has also said emphasis should be placed on the preparations of the national team Harambee Stars, besides the focus on infrastructure.

“There is no sufficient focus on the players, we need to change that. I’m happy with the kind of friendly matches that Harambee Stars has played this year and if we continue doing that it shows prospects of us succeeding. If there is less focus on players even talent identification becomes inhibited. We should identify talent at an early stage,” said Amollo.

Their sentiments come at a time Kenya is hosting the CECAFA U-18 Championship, with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president saying they are out to prepare exceptional players who can join the senior side ahead of the AFCON 2027.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda earlier this year won the bid to host the 2027 football fiesta, and are in the race to put up multibillion stadium projects to be ready for the competition.  

The Ministry of Sports Kenya had announced closure of the country's main stadia - Kasarani and Nyayo - for renovations just before winning the bid only to open them again for sporting and non-sporting events, raising questions over commitment to timelines.