Government should prioritize meeting CAF’s requirements to ensure the success of AFCON 2027

Kenya’s third successful bid to host a continental tournament, following the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) failures, warrants a closer look at the factors behind previous flops and the potential benefits of this hosting opportunity.

This successful bid, as witnessed on September 27, is cause for celebration. Beyond the realm of sports, hosting the tournament promises to create a new ecosystem of business and opportunities.

It will generate employment opportunities, ranging from stewards and security personnel to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners. On match days, the economy will boost the hospitality industry, with fans seeking accommodation, entertainment, and hotels.

Furthermore, hosting the tournament opens up Kenya and East Africa to potential investors in sports sponsorship and sports tourism. Infrastructure development, including stadium renovations, improved roads, and upgraded hotels for teams, is already underway as the stadiums have already been handed over to the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).

However, it’s crucial to remember that hosting rights are not guaranteed. Failure to meet CAF’s facility requirements and deadlines (2025) could result in losing the privilege. We have proposed to use Nyayo, Kasarani, and Kipchoge ‘Kip’ Keino stadiums, none of which currently meet CAF standards.

These shortcomings, such as the lack of a media centre, proper dressing rooms, numbered seats, an electronic ticketing system and basic amenities like usable toilets, must be addressed with the fan experience in mind–not the usual mindset of stadiums being political arenas or venues for hosting church crusades. Our stadiums are not shrines. For heaven’s sake!

Kenya’s love for sports hasn’t always translated into legislative support, as past bids have demonstrated. Instead of closing Nyayo Stadium and painting it the colours of our flag, the government should invest in stadium improvements to capitalize on the growing sports economy, which, goes without saying, offers numerous youth employment opportunities.

This time things might be different as the tournament falls during the election and will be a strong campaigning point.

Moreover, stadiums on the outskirts of Nairobi hold promise for boosting local economies, as seen with Shabana’s move to Raila Odinga stadium in Homa Bay County. The area experienced massive economic activity during the match days. What’s more, the near completion of Dandora Stadium has been warmly received by the residents.

The teams and the youths in the area will benefit a whole lot once it gets completed. Scouts and coaches will have a field day exploring the talent that Eastlands is famously known to produce. This will go a long way in talent spotting and development.

Kinoru Stadium will also offer exciting prospects for talent development and economic growth. In fact, its partial completion during the 2018 CHAN bid left room for improvement. Were it not for the teams playing in the Meru County League, which attracted a big turnout to the defunct stadium, the stadium could have been lifeless.

Therefore, the government should renovate the facility, as the residents have already embraced the stadium. For sure, there will be a return on investment once it’s fully complete, as the fans will be experiencing the full matchday experience that has been lacking in the local footballing scene.

We are all semi-optimistic about hosting the 2027 AFCON. But judging from the reactions online, I can confidently say the fans are ready; the government should do this for us.

—The writer is a football content creator, data analyst and a video analyst—@ GitsJunior