David GOMBE
The Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) inspection staff confirmed via its report, that not one of the proposed competitors stadiums from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda was able to host Africa’s greatest soccer competitors in 2027.
The East African nations are as a consequence of host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations however in keeping with CAF, the general evaluation signifies that the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 infrastructure programme throughout the three host nations is at present in a development, upgrading and corrective section.
Dr Christian Emeruwa (Head of Security & Safety) and Stephanie Totokra (Head of Infrastructure) who performed the inspections within the three nations in February this 12 months confirmed of their report that extra works should be carried out on the internet hosting venues.
The inspection staff is anticipated to conduct one other inspection in August and consider the next areas ought to be cleared and fulfilled;
•Confirmed authorities funding for infrastructure and operations.
•Substantial completion of stadium development and refurbishment works, with a minimal of 80% completion the place relevant, to permit for set up, testing, and operational readiness actions.
•Set up, integration and commissioning of crucial stadium programs, together with floodlighting, security and safety infrastructure, communication programs, and emergency administration programs.
•Upgrading and certification of all designated coaching amenities to fulfill CAF AFCON minimal technical, security, and operational requirements.
•Demonstrable progress on supporting infrastructure, together with entry roads, visitors circulation plans, utilities, energy redundancy programs, and perimeter safety installations round competitors venues.
•Affirmation of airport operational readiness, together with arrival/departure dealing with capability, VIP and staff processing procedures, and coordination with immigration and customs authorities.
•Affirmation of enough lodge lodging capability assembly CAF necessities for groups, officers, media, industrial companions and different match stakeholders.
•Institution and affirmation of a standard visa facilitation framework throughout the three host international locations to make sure clean and well timed entry for all accredited match stakeholders.
What’s in CAF Report
UGANDA
As of February 2026, not one of the proposed competitors stadiums in Uganda totally meets CAF Class 4 necessities.
Uganda’s AFCON 2027 infrastructure programme is at present in a combined section of development, upgrading and operational redesign.
Hoima Metropolis Stadium
A newly constructed stadium requiring operational redesign. Though the stadium construction is accomplished and operational, a number of main operational deficiencies have been recognized.
Key points embrace:
*Absence of clear segregation between spectator classes;
*Cross-circulation between media, VIP, groups and normal spectators;
Non-compliant referee dressing rooms;
*Non-compliance of gamers’ dressing rooms;
*Media amenities beneath AFCON requirements;
*Blended zone incorrectly situated inside the competitors space;
*Restricted operational buffer house because of the stadium’s geographical location.
*Present place of the benches inflicting a significant view obstruction from the stands.
Mandela Nationwide Stadium
In line with CAF, Mandela Nationwide Stadium requires main upgrading works, indicating it at present presents main compliance gaps with CAF Class 4 necessities.
A big-scale improve venture has been proposed, together with:
•Partial demolition of the West Stand;
structural enlargement;
•roof alternative.
Nevertheless, the preliminary 15-month development timeline is incompatible with AFCON 2027 supply necessities. CAF has subsequently really useful revising the improve technique to:
•Maximise use of the present structural body;
•Scale back development length to focus on completion by December 2026.
Akii Bua Stadium
The inspection staff didn’t go to the stadium.
Coaching Infrastructure
CAF reveals that the coaching infrastructure throughout the clusters additionally reveals uneven ranges of
readiness, with a number of proposed websites requiring rehabilitation or improvement.
Coaching amenities throughout the Hoima and Kampala clusters stay significantly uneven. A number of proposed websites are at present non-compliant with CAF coaching requirements.
Key challenges embrace:
•Inadequate variety of compliant coaching grounds in Hoima;
Pitch rehabilitation necessities.
•Lighting set up and certification (≥500 lux);
•Completion of dressing rooms and technical amenities.
TANZANIA
Tanzania stands out from the three host nations in keeping with the inspection report, presenting a extra superior structural place. Nevertheless, its internet hosting mannequin introduces extra operational complexity as a consequence of three geographical clusters in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha.
“Whereas this configuration gives geographic stability, it will increase the necessity for sturdy coordination mechanisms and dependable supporting infrastructure throughout the completely different host places,” the report suggests.
Benjamin Mkapa Stadium
The stadium requires main upgrading works with the intention to meet AFCON competitors necessities.
Key upgrades embrace:
Full pitch reconstruction and agronomic stabilisation;
Improve of stadium lighting to ≥2500 lux;
Set up of energy redundancy programs;
Improvement of hospitality infrastructure (lounges, high quality of VIP and VVIP seats and so forth.)
Enchancment of spectator movement segregation.
Integration of security and safety programs.
Samia Suluhu Stadium
Samia Suluhu Stadium is at present essentially the most superior stadium venture inside Tanzania’s competitors portfolio, in keeping with the report.
Remaining dangers relate primarily to the set up and commissioning of crucial operational programs, together with:
Set up and certification of stadium lighting;
Completion of energy redundancy programs;
Set up of security and safety infrastructure;
Broadcast and operational programs integration.
Fumba Stadium
Fumba Stadium is a brand new stadium at present beneath development in Zanzibar.
Key publicity areas embrace:
Spectator circulation design
Segregation between completely different spectator classes.
Early coordination of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) programs, together with lighting, energy and security infrastructure.
“With out early validation of those programs, late-stage structural changes might happen, doubtlessly affecting the development timeline,” the report states.
Amaan Stadium
By August 2026 the Tanzanian authorities should present:
•A proper authorities resolution on the stadium’s position inside AFCON 2027
•If retained as a contest venue, a validated architectural redesign demonstrating CAF compliance
•Alternatively, reclassification of the stadium as a coaching facility, Coaching Infrastructure (anticipated stage of completion >75%)
The August inspection will confirm:
•Affirmation of the ultimate portfolio of coaching websites throughout all clusters
•Lighting certification ≥500 lux
•Pitch rehabilitation and agronomic stabilisation programmes carried out.
•Availability of pitch upkeep gear
•Operational dressing rooms and technical amenities
Supporting Infrastructure
The next supporting infrastructure parts should additionally display measurable progress:
•Entry roads to the Arusha stadium beneath development
•Hall electrification and CCTV safety protection plans carried out
•Confirmed utility connections (water, electrical energy, drainage)
•Validated lodge lodging capability
Airport logistics coordination and transport planning
KENYA
As of February 2026, not one of the proposed competitors stadiums in Kenya totally meets CAF Class 4 necessities. Kenya’s AFCON 2027 infrastructure programme is at present in a combined section of development, upgrading and operational changes.
Moi Worldwide Sports activities Centre – Kasarani, an current stadium, is present process main upgrading works.
Talanta Sports activities Complicated, a brand new stadium, is at present beneath development.
Nyayo Nationwide Stadium, an current stadium with restricted feasibility as a contest venue.
Moi Worldwide Sports activities Centre- Kasarani Standing
The improve scope consists of:
•Reconfiguration of spectator circulation and segregation;
•Improvement of hospitality areas (VVIP, VIP and skyboxes);
•Relocation and restructuring of the Venue Operations Centre (VOC);
Reconstruction of the competitors pitch, together with drainage and irrigation programs;
•Set up of a brand new lighting system compliant with 3000 lux broadcast requirements;
•Enchancment of security and safety programs, together with CCTV, entry management and fireplace detection;
Upgrading of media amenities, together with the press convention room and media centre.
•The CAF inspection staff believes that whereas a number of improve works have already commenced, the general scope of intervention stays intensive, requiring sustained progress to take care of alignment with the AFCON supply timeline.
Talanta Stadium
•Structural completion reaching at the least 80%, bodily verified.
•CAF validation of useful zoning, together with spectator flows, staff areas, media areas and VOC location.
•Integration of crucial programs inside the development programme (lighting, energy redundancy, safety).
•Contractual affirmation of procurement for all main technical programs.
In line with the report, the venture represents a key part of Kenya’s AFCON internet hosting technique. Nevertheless, the stadium stays uncovered to dangers sometimes related to massive new-build initiatives.
Nyayo Nationwide Stadium
In line with the report, the stadium in its present state doesn’t meet CAF Class 4 necessities and no detailed renovation grasp plan was submitted.
At this stage, the stadium might extra realistically be thought of as a coaching floor.
Kenya’s Coaching Infrastructure
The coaching websites embrace: Kasarani Annexes, Ulinzi and Police Sacco, all inside Nairobi Metropolis.
The present stand is;
•Lighting certification ≥500 luxurious
•Rehabilitated pitches with drainage and irrigation programs
•Operational pitch upkeep gear storage amenities.
Newly developed coaching websites demonstrating:
•Sports activities Academy 1 and a pair of accomplished with rising pitches
•Talanta Annexes 1–3 reaching ≥60% development progress.
•Consolidation of a practical and executable coaching web site portfolio, eradicating immature or non-mobilised initiatives.
