CAF finally receives East Africa Pamoja Bid

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has finally received the joint bid from the East African region to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa confirmed the bid from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania was received by Caf General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba in Cairo, Egypt on Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are jointly seeking the opportunity to host the 2027 edition in the region with the strong support of their heads of state. On Monday in Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni threw his weight behind the bid insisting it will boost the region’s economic fortunes.

Mwendwa is confident the bid dubbed Pamoja will pass the integrity test set by Caf because of the seriousness already being showcased by the three nations.

“We have finally submitted the bid to Caf and now we formally start to get ready, with all we need, and I know we will be ready by the time Caf arrives for inspection,” Mwendwa told People Daily Sports. On whether the three nations have ready stadia for the tournament, Mwendwa said: “Qatar stadiums were built from scratch when they were awarded the bid to host the World Cup finals, they never had the stadiums, you are never awarded based on what you have, you are awarded based on your seriousness, and your plans.

“When the Caf team comes for an inspection visit, we will demonstrate that seriousness… that seriousness was not demonstrated when  Mosengo-Omba and Caf landed here in 2018 [for the Chan inspection] and I believe this time our plan is what will make us cross the road.”

Mwendwa added: “Our two stadiums [Nyayo and Kasarani] really, are maybe two steps away to be ready, they lack some key things.

“For example, Nyayo needs a roof so that you are not rained on when watching a game at 8 pm in the night and two, it needs lighting, and three which is the biggest thing Nyayo needs is ticketing, software for ticketing, where you can print tickets, or tap your ticket, open it and go to your seat.

“Kip Keino can be ready but it cannot make us lose Afcon.”

Kenya has presented the iconic 60,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani, 30,000-seater Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret as venues to host the tournament.

For training, they have listed Kasarani Annex, Police Sacco Stadium, Kenya Utalii College Sports Club, Ulinzi Sports Complex, and Jamhuri Sports Complex.