Kenya has started early preparations for the AFCON 2027. The East African country will co-host the prestigious African football tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
It is the second time that AFCON finals will be staged in the Eastern part of Africa after more than four decades. Ethiopia hosted AFCON in 1976. It means 2027 will be a memorable year for the region after many years of unsuccessfully bidding to host the event.
President Ruto launches Talanta Stadium construction, urges world-class standards
With the clock ticking fast, the Kenyan government through the Ministry of Sports, has launched the construction of Talanta Stadium, a 60,000-capacity venue set to host AFCON 2027. President Ruto graced the occasion and tasked the Kenya Defence Forces to supervise the construction of the new stadium.
Kenyan president launched the construction of Talanta Stadium in a ground-breaking ceremony attended by several other government dignitaries such as the Minister of Sports Ababu Namwamba.
China Road and Bride Corporation have been awarded the Talanta Stadium construction tender and will be supervised by the KDF. Stakeholders expect the 60,000-capacity stadium to be completed within the shortest time possible, even as early as December 2024.
China Road and Bridge Corporation has undertaken huge projects in Kenya such as the more than 300km Standard Guage Railway and Nairobi Expressway. The mega projects were completed within the shortest possible time and have become remarkable landmarks in Kenya.
Talanta Sporting facility is also expected to accommodate an athletics track, gyms, and other sporting facilities beyond football.
CAF President Mostepe urges timely AFCON 2027 preparations
Despite successfully bidding to jointly host the 2027 AFCON, the biggest challenge for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania has been inadequate sporting facilities to stage continental competitions such as the African Cup of Nations.
Currently, Uganda does not have a stadium that meets international standards set by FIFA while Kenya and Tanzania have one venue each.
Uganda National Football Team (then Uganda Cranes) have been forced to play their AFCON qualifiers matches on neutral grounds.
However, as soon as the three East African countries were handed the hosting rights for the AFCON 2027, CAF president Patrice Mostepe, expressed his optimism, indicating that the decision would promote the development of sporting infrastructure in the region
Mostepe added that AFCON in East Africa will be a source of inspiration and enthusiasm among millions of young people in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
When Kenya received the good news of co-hosting the continental tournament, politics took centre stage. There have been push-and-pull regarding the ideal AFCON hosting counties and cities in Kenya.
However, the groundbreaking ceremony that preceded the construction of Kenya's new football stadium has dimmed political flares which many feared could derail AFCON 2027 preparations.
Talanta Stadium will rival Kenya's iconic Karasarani International Sports Center which also boasts a 60,000-seating capacity.
Hosting rights qualify Kenya for AFCON 2027
The dream of hosting the AFCON, also known as CAN, has remained elusive for millions of Kenyans who love the beautiful game.
However, 2027 co-hosting rights come with excitement among millions of football fans who cannot wait to experience the euphoria of hosting such a prestigious continental tournament.
While Kenya has never participated in the FIFA World Cup, they have made several appearances in the African Cup of Nations.
Kenya participated in the 2019 AFCON but Harambee Stars failed to go beyond the group stages after losing to Algeria and Senegal in a difficult campaign.
In 2023, a FIFA suspension rendered Kenya ineligible to participate in CAN, so being the co-host of the 2027 tournament means Kenya automatically qualifies for the big event.
Morocco will host the 2025 with Kenya's qualification for the event yet to be determined as they await the announcement of group-stage opponents in the qualifiers.