Confederation of African Football (CAF) boss Patrice Motsepe says he has trust in President William Ruto’s commitment to delivering a successful 2027 African Cup of Nations and next year’s Africa Championships (CHAN), with both competitions set to be co-hosted by the East Africa nations Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Motsepe who yesterday paid a courtesy call to President Ruto at State House Nairobi before chairing a CAF Executive Committee meeting at Kempinski Hotel, stressed that he had no worry whatsoever as he leaves Kenya today and that he is impressed by the commitment made by President Ruto in the preparation process for the two tournaments, especially in terms of the renovations of stadiums.
“I trust President Ruto. Is there a lot of work to be done? Yes! But I trust him because he is a man of his word and therefore, I have total confidence. I leave with a message of confidence. Yes there is a lot of work to be done but at this point, I am impressed by the commitment of the government,” Motsepe told People Sport.
On his part, President Ruto assured the country and the African continent that Kenya will deliver the necessary infrastructure for the hosting of the 2027 African Cup of Nations and the 2025 CHAN Championships.
Ruto gave Motsepe a message of affirmation that his government is in full swing as far as infrastructure development is concerned ahead of the continental football show that is scheduled to come home in the East African region for the first time.
“Kenya will be ready to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in 2027. The preparations of our three stadiums – renovation of Kasarani and Nyayo and construction of the brand new Talanta Sports City Stadium – are progressing well,” Ruto stated.
The President further expressed his satisfaction with the renovation works at the iconic Kasarani and Nyayo stadia as well as the construction of the proposed Talanta Sports City Stadium.
Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums have been earmarked to stage CHAN Championships in February 2025; cohosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania just like the 2027 AFCON.
“We commit that Kasarani and Nyayo will be ready by the end of this year for African Nations Championships 2025, while Talanta Sports City Stadium will be completed by December 2025 for AFCON 2027,” Ruto added.
In the presser yesterday, CAF said that the CHAN tournament, which involves players featuring in local leagues, will commence on February 1 to February 28 next year in the cities of Nairobi, Dar e Salam and Kampala.
CAF Executive Committee hosted its meeting yesterday at a Nairobi hotel, probably signalling CAF’s commitment to see the game hosted in the region.
Further, CAF boss Motsepe has expressed contentment with the level of preparation done by Kenya, especially the refurbishment at Kasarani and Nyayo and the structural set-up at the Talanta Sports City.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to President Ruto for the inspiring message that he gave the CAF leadership.I thank the government of Kenya and the president of the Football Kenya Federation Nick Mwendwa.”
“I visited Kasarani, Nyayo and I am very much impressed by the upgrading works going on. I also toured Talanta Stadium which is world-class. I must say I feel proud as an African because of this massive infrastructure development.I believe the next CHAN will be the best in the history of the competition. CHAN and AFCON is going to contribute to the young Kenyans to become one of the best players in the world and that means the football in the region is going to grow.”
CAF has shown faith in the Pamoja Bid-winners to stage a top-notch show in 2027 with Motsepe also stating that there is enormous desire from the region’s leadership of President Ruto of Kenya, Samia Hassan of Tanzania and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
“The region is moving incredibly well and for sure I am impressed by this wave.”
Despite the assurance, Kenya is facing a race against time scenario about the hosting of the CHAN competition with Nyayo and Kasarani needing to be ready by the end of November this year.
The laying of a new surface has begun at Kasarani and the same is expected to be done at Nyayo which was reopened to allow Kenya Police FC and Gor Mahia to stage their home continental engagements there.
