Outrage after journalist questions East Africa’s ability to host 2027 AFCON

CAF president Patrice Motsepe/FILE

Ivorian journalist Mamadou Gaye has sparked outrage after questioning East Africa’s suitability to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), prompting a firm defence from Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The controversy unfolded during a pre-AFCON 2025 final press conference addressed by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, where Gaye openly cast doubt on the capacity of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to successfully stage the tournament.

Gaye argued that the region lacks adequate infrastructure, particularly road networks, and suggested that the competition should potentially be moved elsewhere.

“The next one (AFCON) is heading to three East African countries, where I already have been. No roads within the countries. Some of my colleagues from East Africa told me from one country to another one will take you two days to drive,” Gaye said.

He went on to question whether awarding the tournament to the region would undermine the competition’s standards.

“Then my biggest worry, and many are worried, are we going to lower the standards by going to East Africa, what is the solution forward? Is there any possibility that it will be taken away from those countries,” he posed.

Gaye further cited past precedents, including Guinea’s loss of hosting rights, to bolster his argument.

“We are in Morocco, the AFCON was supposed to be in Guinea, because they were not ready, it was moved to Morocco. And in this 24-nation AFCON, I think in Africa maybe four or five countries have proper infrastructure to host it. Is there any possibility that it will be taken away from those three countries or postponed again?” he asked.

His remarks drew immediate backlash from African football fans and commentators, many of whom accused him of undermining regional development efforts and disrespecting East African nations.

Another X user, Paul Mwirigi Muriungi, said, "It's not disrespect; it's the truth. Try moving around East Africa by road and you'll understand. We reap what our leaders have sown. Let's not try and argue this one out. As for flights, they're very expensive."

Responding to the concerns, Motsepe firmly dismissed the notion of stripping the region of hosting rights.

“We are not going to take the competition away from these countries,” he said.

The CAF president stressed that one of his core responsibilities is to ensure football development across the entire continent, not only in traditionally well-resourced nations.

“I have a duty to develop football all over Africa. I can’t have competitions only in countries where there is infrastructure. We have to create the opportunity for the other countries to build infrastructure to the World Cup level,” Mostepe said.

Motsepe expressed confidence that the joint East African bid would deliver a successful tournament.

“I am confident that the AFCON in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will be enormously successful,” he said.

He acknowledged that major sporting events often come with logistical and infrastructural challenges, pointing to recent global examples.

Mostepe said the World Cup in Qatar also had its challenges and expects similar hurdles in upcoming tournaments. “We are gong now to Canada, the US and Mexico, there will be challenges as well,” he noted.

Motsepe added that CAF’s decision to stage the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in East Africa, despite initial readiness concerns, was deliberate.

He said it was for that reason that he insisted that CHAN takes placed in East Africa though they were not ready in February because he was convinced it would help them to make sure they have a successful AFCON in 2027 in the region.