AFCON 2027: No backup hosts, stadium concerns and time running out – Micky Jnr responds

With just over eight months remaining before AFCON 2027 kicks off, CAF President Patrice Motsepe continues to insist there is no alternative hosting plan despite concerns over stadium readiness in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The situation raises a pressing question: What happens if the three co-hosts fail to meet CAF's requirements before the tournament begins?

Speaking to Foot Africa, renowned Ghanaian football journalist Ebenezer Michael Danso Deveer, widely known as Micky Jnr, addressed the growing uncertainty, the challenges facing the host nations and the importance of CAF's upcoming technical assessments.

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AFCON 2027: What Micky Jnr said about CAF's Plan B

Questions about the tournament's future intensified after French newspaper Le Monde reported on 26 September that CAF had approached Morocco, South Africa and Algeria about potentially hosting the competition if preparations in East Africa fell behind schedule.

Despite those reports, Motsepe has repeatedly rejected suggestions of an alternative hosting plan.

Asked about possible contingency arrangements, Micky Jnr explained:

"During the press conference, CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe made it clear on several occasions that there is no Plan B."

"He was very firm on this position, insisting that CAF is focused on the current plan rather than considering alternative options"

The journalist also addressed whether CAF could redistribute matches between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda without withdrawing their hosting rights.

"On the possibility of redistributing matches or reducing the number of approved venues, I would not want to speculate without official confirmation from CAF"

His comments offer no independent confirmation of the reported approaches to potential replacement hosts.

Foot Africa previously examined the uncertainty surrounding AFCON 2027 preparations.

Kenya's stadium preparations remain under scrutiny

Kenya's preparations have attracted particular attention, with construction at Talanta Stadium progressing alongside renovation work at Kasarani Stadium.

"From what I know, Talanta Stadium is making good progress but Kasarani Stadium and the training pitches remain important areas to watch" Micky Jnr told Foot Africa.

According to CAF's official September inspection report, its delegation examined the 60,000 capacity Talanta Stadium alongside training facilities, accommodation and airport infrastructure.

However, Micky Jnr declined to provide unverified details about the technical delegation's findings at Kasarani.

"CAF will communicate its position on the state of preparedness and any areas that need improvement"

Uganda & Tanzania face important infrastructure tests

Uganda's Mandela National Stadium, commonly known as Namboole and Hoima City Stadium are also central to the country's tournament preparations.

Micky Jnr acknowledged improvements while stressing that compliance with CAF's technical requirements remains the determining factor.

"Uganda has made progress with its stadium infrastructure but the key question is whether all the requirements set by CAF have been fully met"

He highlighted fan corridors, dressing rooms and media facilities as essential components of CAF's stadium regulations.

The journalist nevertheless stopped short of suggesting that Uganda was facing disqualification explaining that any such conclusion would require CAF's latest official assessment.

Regarding Tanzania, Micky Jnr identified the new stadium project in Arusha as an important investment but declined to confirm suggestions that economic pressures could delay construction.

"I don't have confirmed information suggesting that economic pressures are causing delays, so I wouldn't want to speculate"

The issue follows Motsepe's September visit to Tanzania to review AFCON 2027 preparations.

What happens next for AFCON 2027?

Beyond stadium construction, CAF's assessments extend to hotels, airports, transport systems, security and other operational facilities across the three countries.

Asked which co-host faces the greatest logistical challenges, Micky Jnr declined to identify one without confirmed information from CAF's inspection committee.

He also emphasised that further technical assessments will determine whether the existing venues satisfy the necessary requirements.

"Any official decision on venues or hosting arrangements will depend on CAF's assessment of their readiness"

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The tournament is scheduled to run from 19 June to 17 July 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda automatically qualified as co-hosts.

While the AFCON 2027 qualification campaign continues, attention will increasingly turn towards CAF's upcoming evaluations and the completion of essential infrastructure.

For now, CAF's publicly stated commitment to the PAMOJA hosting arrangement remains unchanged while questions over individual stadium approvals and possible adjustments to venue allocations remain unresolved.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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Tanzania

Uganda

Kenya

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations