Patrice Motsepe praises heads of state as AFCON 2027 preparations intensify

Motsepe insists the tournament will be staged in East Africa as planned and will not be pushed back to 2028.

Addressing the media on Friday at a CAF meeting in Tanzania as reported by Flashscore, Motsepe said he has complete faith in the football authorities and governments of the three host nations - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania - to deliver a successful competition.

"I know AFCON will be staged here, so I don't want to hear that question again," Motsepe said.

"We have done a lot to bring AFCON to East Africa and our commitment remains firm. There may be challenges, but if we trust and support each other as Africans, it is possible."

Motsepe described unity and cooperation between the three nations as key pillars for success, adding that he expects the 2027 edition to be among the most unique and memorable tournaments ever staged on the continent.

The CAF president also praised the political backing behind the bid, singling out Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Kenyan President William Ruto for their visible commitment to the event.

Addressing concerns around Kenya's 2027 general elections, Motsepe played down any potential impact, saying the tournament schedule would not be affected.

This will be the first AFCON to be co-hosted by three countries and the first in the CECAFA region since Ethiopia staged the competition in 1976.

It will also form part of AFCON's 70th anniversary celebrations and mark the final edition held in an odd-numbered year, before the tournament switches to a four-year cycle from 2028.