AFCON 2027: FKF Boss Disagrees with LOC Chairman Over Postponement

FKF president Hussein Mohammed has dismissed doubts over Kenya’s readiness for AFCON 2027 a day after LOC chairman Nicholas Musonye welcomed a postponement.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed has added another twist into the growing reports that East Africa might not host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations next year.

A report from UK outlet The Guardian said Confederation of African Football (CAF) is mulling over switching next year’s tournament to 2028 with the proposal set to be discussed at an Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

There are doubts from some quarters over whether Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be ready next year, hence the proposal to give them extra time by pushing the tournament to 2028, but while focus will be on what will come out of the CAF meeting in Dar es Salaam, Kenya’s AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye threw a spanner in the works.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Musonye told AFP that an AFCON 2027 postponement "would be good for Kenya, considering the country would be gearing up for national general elections in August 2027."

Mosonye and Mohammed With Differing Views

The former CECAFA Secretary General feels charged political temperatures in Kenya would be a huge distraction for the tournament and he would therefore welcome a postponement to 2028.

"We've seen the volatile atmosphere around these elections in Tanzania, Uganda and even Kenya. Security would not be guaranteed for such a big competition as the Africa Cup of Nations," Musonye further stated.

However, Mohammed has dismissed any doubts about Kenya or its neighbours Tanzania and Uganda being ready to host the tournament next year.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, Kenya is ready to host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania,” Mohammed stated via a social media post.

East Africa Working on Key Infrastructure

It appears the AFCON 2027 LOC, which both men are part of, sees things differently when it comes to the tournament’s hosting dates but will have to be aligned when CAF finally makes the highly-awaited announcement.

The three East African nations are in a race against time to get facilities ready with Kenya intensifying works on the Talanta Stadium, which will be the main AFCON 2027 venue in the country, while Kasarani Stadium has been closed for renovations.

Tanzania, meanwhile, is also constructing the Samia Suluhu Stadium in Arusha, with the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam being worked on, as Uganda turns focus on training venues after the inauguration of Hoima City Stadium which will be used alongside the Mandela National Stadium (Namboole).