Tanzania has set December this year as the deadline to complete preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as CAF president Patrice Motsepe praised the country’s progress towards hosting the continental tournament.
The commitment was made by National AFCON 2027 Preparations Committee chairman Dr Mwigulu Nchemba during a meeting with Mr Motsepe in Dar es Salaam, where the two discussed the country’s readiness to host the tournament.
Dr Nchemba said preparations were progressing through coordination between the Government, sports authorities and football fans, describing Tanzania as ready to host the competition.
“We have already prepared ourselves. It is not only that we are ready, but we are excited and ready—from the Government and sports bodies to the fans—to host one of Africa’s biggest sporting events,” he said.
He said Mr Motsepe’s visit was part of efforts to assess the final stages of preparations and assured CAF that Tanzania would deliver on commitments within the agreed timeframe.
“We assure you and your team that we will meet the targets within the agreed timeframe. By December, we will have completed all preparations,” Dr Nchemba said.
He challenged CAF officials to return after December to assess the progress against the commitments made by Tanzania.
“Come and see after December. You will find that what we promised here is what has been implemented,” he said.
Tanzania is co-hosting AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Uganda, with the three countries sharing responsibilities for staging the tournament.
Mr Motsepe said he was proud of the work Tanzania had done so far, signalling confidence in the progress made ahead of the tournament.
He said the media had previously asked him when he would consider himself fully satisfied with Tanzania’s preparations, adding that he was already pleased with the progress.
“I am proud of the work that Tanzania has done. The media asked me when I would be able to say that I am 100 percent satisfied with the preparations for AFCON 2027. I told them that I am very satisfied with the preparations right now,” Mr Motsepe said.