CAF Sets New Dates to Determine Fate of Pamoja Bid

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Motsepe
Patrice Motsepe, the CAF President. Courtesy photo

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has extended the meeting that is set to see any registered African countries being awarded the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 and the AFCON 2027.

The postponement was announced by Patrice Motsepe, the CAF President during the Executive Committee meeting held on Thursday, September 7, 2023, where CAF expected to deliberate and choose the host nations for both tournaments.

“We will be meeting again in Cairo on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, to discuss and take decisions relating to the countries that will be awarded the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 and the AFCON 2027,” Motsepe said.

According to Motsepe, further discussions were needed to make a conclusive decision on the matter adding that the postponement is a clear sign of CAF’s commitment to ensuring a thorough evaluation of the bids.

Meanwhile, the three Eastern African Countries including Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania interested themselves in hosting the 2027 AFCON as they jointly submitted their quests through the famous Pamoja bid.

While the trio competes with other four African countries such as Algeria, Senegal, Egypt, and Botswana, they hope things go well with them since they have never hosted a tournament of that caliber.

In July, the three sister nations laid their planned venues for CAF’s inspection delegation. In Uganda, the venues under review include the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, and Nakivubo Stadium, among others.

According to Moses Magogo, the FUFA President, Uganda has also planned to construct two extra venues in Lira and Hoima in preparation for the tournament.

Tanzania’s venues include Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium which is certified by CAF. Others include CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza, Chamazi Complex-home to Azam FC, and some venues in Dodoma, Arusha, and Zanzibar.

Kenya filed the iconic, 60,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), 30,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, among others.

What is AFCON?

AFCON is a premier event that showcases the continent’s footballing talent and culture where the host nations welcome the world and celebrate the sports.