)
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) boss Moses Magogo, in the April 14th, 2023 Plenary sitting, confirmed football associations in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania had agreed to a joint bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
That came months after Kenya approved the proposal: "cabinet has approved the proposal to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 alongside EAC partner states," said Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba in 2022.
Magogo was indeed backed by the Parliament, stamping the fact that Uganda, alongside its neighbours, will try to fend off opposition from Senegal and Namibia-Botswana to the rights.
"Parliament has approved a proposal to support FUFA and the FA of Tanzania and Kenya to field a joint bid to CAF to host the AFCON 2027 in East Africa," Magogo revealed.
The news has since caused missed reactions from the various sects and faces, with some asserting it's a possibility while others feel it's an unrealistic dream.
The Facilities
A single nation bidding to host the AFCON ought to have six A-classified stadiums as approved by CAF. Two stadiums should at least have 40,000 sitting capacity, two for 20,000 fans and two for 15,000.
With a joint bid of three countries, the burden could be shared, each needing at least two CAF-approved stadiums.
At the moment, Tanzania's Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, a 60,000 seater is the only CAF approved stadium in the entirety of East Africa.
With serious backing, other st,adiums in Tanzania including Azam Complex, CCM Kirumba Stadium and Uhuru Stadium can get uplifted to the standards.
The same can not entirely be said of Uganda and Kenya, who at the moment can't even host an AFCON game at home due to poor facilities.
In Uganda, Mandela National Stadium, Namboole is undertaking renovation while it's not sure whether Nakivubo Stadium will ever achieve international acceptance.
St Mary's Stadium, Kitende, a privately owned facility can only host continental games at club level, in the group stages.
Meanwhile, Kenya's 60,000 seater Moi International Arena, Kasarani and the Nyayo Stadium currently do not possess the CAF clearance.
It's also worth recalling that in 1996, CAF stripped Kenya of the rights to host the continental showpiece due to the poor state of sports facilities in the country.
It was the same reason CAF withdrew the rights from Kenya to host the 2018 African Nations Championships (CHAN).
Security and Politics
CAF values the safety of all the stakeholders involved in the game including the fans, officials, players and the general public.
Cameroon and Guinea for the 2018 and 2025 AFCONs respectively got stripped of the hosting rights, not only because of poor facilities but also political unrest and general insecurity.
On the same basis, East Africa particularly Uganda and Tanzania would easily pass the test as they enjoy relative peace.
The 2027 AFCON will however take place months after the general elections in Uganda, but will happen the same year as the Kenya elections. It will be two years after Tanzania's.
Depending on the envisaged conditions pre and post elections in each or one of the trio of bidders, CAF could decide for or against awarding the rights.
Accommodation and road network
CAF demands at least a Four-star hotel in the proximity of every approved stadium to host an AFCON match.
Each of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania boast the same in the different parts of the respective countries.
The same can not be said with the general road network in Uganda, even when access to Namboole Stadium is relatively acceptable currently.
Government hand
The joint bid can only stay a thing of dreams and wishes if each of the respective governments is not in full support: one backs out and the entire plan goes to the ditches.
While each of the governments has supported the joint bid, practical support at every level of the planning is what the respective federations should be praying comes to fruition.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)