A new report by the Confederation of African Football (Confederation of African Football) has revealed that Kenya’s stadiums do not currently meet the required standards to host matches for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 (AFCON 2027).
Kenya is expected to co-host the tournament together with Uganda and Tanzania under the East African Pamoja bid. However, the inspection team from CAF raised serious concerns after assessing major sports facilities in the country.
Stadium Problems Highlighted
According to the report, several issues were identified across key stadiums. These include poor pitch conditions, outdated seating areas, weak stadium lighting, and lack of proper safety systems.
The report also noted that some venues do not have enough changing rooms for teams, limited media facilities, and lack modern technology required for international football competitions.
Major stadiums such as Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium were among those flagged as needing urgent upgrades.
Government Response
In response, government officials have assured Kenyans that renovation plans are already underway. The Ministry of Sports said it is working closely with CAF and other partners to ensure all required improvements are completed before the tournament begins.
Officials insist that Kenya remains committed to meeting all hosting requirements despite the challenges highlighted in the report.
Concerns Over Deadlines
Experts have warned that delays in construction and renovation work could put Kenya’s hosting role at risk. They say the country must speed up upgrades to meet strict CAF deadlines.
If improvements are not completed on time, Kenya could lose the chance to host some of the matches or face reduced hosting responsibilities.
Hope for Successful Hosting
Despite the concerns, Kenya remains optimistic about delivering a successful tournament. Leaders have promised that all necessary upgrades will be completed in time to meet international standards.
AFCON 2027 is expected to attract thousands of fans across the region, boost tourism, and strengthen East Africa’s reputation in global football.
For now, attention remains on whether Kenya will be able to upgrade its stadiums fast enough to meet CAF’s expectations.
Tags
News