The tournament, scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda — marking the first time three nations co-host the continental showpiece.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Motsepe acknowledged there is still work to be done but emphasised the strong political backing behind the project.
“There are areas where there’s room for improvement, absolutely,” said Motsepe.
“But the commitment and support from President William Ruto, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and President Yoweri Museveni is enormous.”
He added that CAF has already stationed officials across the three host nations to oversee daily preparations and ensure the tournament meets expectations.
The hosting arrangement — branded AFCON PAMOJA 2027 — is expected to reach more than 400 million people across the East African region, offering a significant boost to football development and regional visibility.
Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed echoed Motsepe’s optimism, insisting the region is ready to stage a memorable tournament.
“I have no doubt East Africa will deliver one of the best AFCON tournaments ever,” said Mohammed.
He stressed that the focus goes beyond infrastructure, highlighting the region’s hospitality and organisational capability, which were showcased during previous tournaments such as CHAN.
CAF is yet to confirm which country will host the opening match and the final.
The 2027 edition follows the widely praised 2025 tournament in Morocco, setting a high benchmark for the East African trio to match — or surpass.
Despite concerns surrounding preparations, CAF president Patrice Motsepe remains confident that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, will be a major success.
Former Kenya captain Victor Wanyama believes the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will leave a lasting legacy on Kenyan football, saying the tournament presents a unique opportunity.
CAF acting secretary general Samson Adamu has urged East Africa to shift its mindset as it steps up preparations for the 2027 AFCON, cautioning against drawing comparisons with CHAN.
The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, is set to visit Rabat this Thursday as part of ongoing efforts to address recent developments in African football after his visit in Senegal.
