Museveni drums up support for Afcon 2027 Pamoja bid
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has officially endorsed the joint East African bid to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations )Afcon) in 2027.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are jointly seeking the opportunity to host the 2027 edition in the region and according to Museveni the initiative dubbed Pamoja bid, will boost the region’s economic fortunes.
“I have received Uganda’s Afcon 2027 joint bid with Kenya and Tanzania [EAC Pamoja bid]. Sports is good for health, entertainment and now, more so business,” Museveni told reporters while receiving the bid at State House on Monday.
“Therefore, for East Africa to come together to invite the African Cup of Nations here is very good. It will promote our countries and tourism will also increase.”
On his part, Uganda’s football federation boss Moses Magogo said: “Our bid to host the Afcon 2027 will accelerate infrastructural development in the country, adding: “Afcon hosting is awarded on plans and guarantees not what you have. The Government of Uganda has already provided 97 billion for the rehabilitation of Namboole (stadium) and we need only one more stadium.”
Last week, Kenya’s President William Ruto received the bid at State House, Nairobi, from Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa.
Ruto vowed to lobby for the tournament to come to the region for the first time in history.
Apart from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, CAF has acknowledged receiving a declaration of interest from Algeria, Botswana and Egypt to stage the continental showpiece.
Meanwhile, captain Tendayi Darikwa is one of six senior players who will leave Wigan Athletic when their current contracts expire this summer.
Defenders Steven Caulker, Joe Bennett and Ryan Nyambe and midfielders Jordan Cousins and Gwion Edwards also exit.
Darikwa, 31, played 116 games after joining from Nottingham Forest in 2021. Edwards, 29, had 45 outings for Wigan, Bennett, 33, and Cousins, 29, played 30 games apiece, Nyambe, 25, made 33 appearances and Caulker, 31, only nine.
