Sports ministers from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda convened in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Friday, September 23, 2023, to discuss their joint bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The meeting came ahead of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee’s announcement of the successful applicant, which is scheduled for September 27, 2023, at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The East African nations are up against bids from Senegal and Botswana. Tanzanian Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports Damas Ndumbaro expressed confidence in the joint bid, stating that the three countries have the sports infrastructure and are upgrading other necessary infrastructure to host the continental football tournament.
“We have sports infrastructure that qualifies us to host the continental football tournament,” Ndumbaro said. “We are also upgrading other necessary infrastructure for the tournament, such as roads, airports, and communication systems.”
Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda have never hosted AFCON before, but they are optimistic that their 2027 bid will be successful. A successful bid would be a major boost for the region’s economy and sports development.
Analysts’ Views
Analysts say that the joint bid from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda has a strong chance of success. The three countries have a good track record of hosting international sporting events, and they are investing heavily in upgrading their infrastructure. Additionally, the joint bid is likely to be popular with CAF members, who are eager to see the tournament hosted in East Africa for the first time.
However, the joint bid faces some challenges. The three countries are still relatively poor, and they may need financial assistance from CAF to host the tournament successfully. Additionally, the region has a history of political instability, which could pose a risk to the tournament.
Overall, the joint bid from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda is a strong one. The three countries have the potential to host a memorable and successful AFCON tournament.
