David GOMBE
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection team confirmed through its report, that none of the proposed competition stadiums from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda was ready to host Africa’s biggest football competition in 2027.
The East African nations are due to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations but according to CAF, the overall assessment indicates that the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 infrastructure programme across the three host nations is currently in a construction, upgrading and corrective phase.
Dr Christian Emeruwa (Head of Safety & Security) and Stephanie Totokra (Head of Infrastructure) who conducted the inspections in the three nations in February this year confirmed in their report that more works need to be done at the hosting venues.
The inspection team is expected to conduct another inspection in August and believe the following areas should be cleared and fulfilled;
•Confirmed government funding for infrastructure and operations.
•Substantial completion of stadium construction and refurbishment works, with a minimum of 80% completion where applicable, to allow for installation, testing, and operational readiness activities.
•Installation, integration and commissioning of critical stadium systems, including floodlighting, safety and security infrastructure, communication systems, and emergency management systems.
•Upgrading and certification of all designated training facilities to meet CAF AFCON minimum technical, safety, and operational standards.
•Demonstrable progress on supporting infrastructure, including access roads, traffic circulation plans, utilities, power redundancy systems, and perimeter security installations around competition venues.
•Confirmation of airport operational readiness, including arrival/departure handling capacity, VIP and team processing procedures, and coordination with immigration and customs authorities.
•Confirmation of sufficient hotel accommodation capacity meeting CAF requirements for teams, officials, media, commercial partners and other tournament stakeholders.
•Establishment and confirmation of a common visa facilitation framework across the three host countries to ensure smooth and timely entry for all accredited tournament stakeholders.
What is in CAF Report
UGANDA
As of February 2026, none of the proposed competition stadiums in Uganda fully meets CAF Category 4 requirements.
Uganda’s AFCON 2027 infrastructure programme is currently in a mixed phase of construction, upgrading and operational redesign.
Hoima City Stadium
A newly constructed stadium requiring operational redesign. Although the stadium structure is completed and operational, several major operational deficiencies were identified.
Key issues include:
*Absence of clear segregation between spectator categories;
*Cross-circulation between media, VIP, teams and general spectators;
Non-compliant referee dressing rooms;
*Non-compliance of players’ dressing rooms;
*Media facilities below AFCON standards;
*Mixed zone incorrectly located within the competition area;
*Limited operational buffer space due to the stadium’s geographical location.
*Current position of the benches causing a major view obstruction from the stands.
Mandela National Stadium
According to CAF, Mandela National Stadium requires major upgrading works, indicating it currently presents major compliance gaps with CAF Category 4 requirements.
A large-scale upgrade project has been proposed, including:
•Partial demolition of the West Stand;
structural expansion;
•roof replacement.
However, the initial 15-month construction timeline is incompatible with AFCON 2027 delivery requirements. CAF has therefore recommended revising the upgrade strategy to:
•Maximise use of the existing structural frame;
•Reduce construction duration to target completion by December 2026.
Akii Bua Stadium
The inspection team did not visit the stadium.
Training Infrastructure
CAF reveals that the training infrastructure across the clusters also shows uneven levels of
readiness, with several proposed sites requiring rehabilitation or development.
Training facilities across the Hoima and Kampala clusters remain particularly uneven. Several proposed sites are currently non-compliant with CAF training standards.
Key challenges include:
•Insufficient number of compliant training grounds in Hoima;
Pitch rehabilitation requirements.
•Lighting installation and certification (≥500 lux);
•Completion of dressing rooms and technical facilities.
TANZANIA
Tanzania stands out from the three host nations according to the inspection report, presenting a more advanced structural position. However, its hosting model introduces additional operational complexity due to three geographical clusters in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha.
“While this configuration provides geographic balance, it increases the need for strong coordination mechanisms and reliable supporting infrastructure across the different host locations,” the report suggests.
Benjamin Mkapa Stadium
The stadium requires major upgrading works in order to meet AFCON competition requirements.
Key upgrades include:
Full pitch reconstruction and agronomic stabilisation;
Upgrade of stadium lighting to ≥2500 lux;
Installation of power redundancy systems;
Development of hospitality infrastructure (lounges, quality of VIP and VVIP seats etc.)
Improvement of spectator flow segregation.
Integration of safety and security systems.
Samia Suluhu Stadium
Samia Suluhu Stadium is currently the most advanced stadium project within Tanzania’s competition portfolio, according to the report.
Remaining risks relate primarily to the installation and commissioning of critical operational systems, including:
Installation and certification of stadium lighting;
Completion of power redundancy systems;
Installation of safety and security infrastructure;
Broadcast and operational systems integration.
Fumba Stadium
Fumba Stadium is a new stadium currently under construction in Zanzibar.
Key exposure areas include:
Spectator circulation design
Segregation between different spectator categories.
Early coordination of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, including lighting, power and safety infrastructure.
“Without early validation of these systems, late-stage structural adjustments may occur, potentially affecting the construction timeline,” the report states.
Amaan Stadium
By August 2026 the Tanzanian authorities must provide:
•A formal government decision on the stadium’s role within AFCON 2027
•If retained as a competition venue, a validated architectural redesign demonstrating CAF compliance
•Alternatively, reclassification of the stadium as a training facility, Training Infrastructure (expected level of completion >75%)
The August inspection will verify:
•Confirmation of the final portfolio of training sites across all clusters
•Lighting certification ≥500 lux
•Pitch rehabilitation and agronomic stabilisation programmes implemented.
•Availability of pitch maintenance equipment
•Operational dressing rooms and technical facilities
Supporting Infrastructure
The following supporting infrastructure elements must also demonstrate measurable progress:
•Access roads to the Arusha stadium under construction
•Corridor electrification and CCTV security coverage plans implemented
•Confirmed utility connections (water, electricity, drainage)
•Validated hotel accommodation capacity
Airport logistics coordination and transport planning
KENYA
As of February 2026, none of the proposed competition stadiums in Kenya fully meets CAF Category 4 requirements. Kenya’s AFCON 2027 infrastructure programme is currently in a mixed phase of construction, upgrading and operational adjustments.
Moi International Sports Centre – Kasarani, an existing stadium, is undergoing major upgrading works.
Talanta Sports Complex, a new stadium, is currently under construction.
Nyayo National Stadium, an existing stadium with limited feasibility as a competition venue.
Moi International Sports Centre- Kasarani Status
The upgrade scope includes:
•Reconfiguration of spectator circulation and segregation;
•Development of hospitality areas (VVIP, VIP and skyboxes);
•Relocation and restructuring of the Venue Operations Centre (VOC);
Reconstruction of the competition pitch, including drainage and irrigation systems;
•Installation of a new lighting system compliant with 3000 lux broadcast standards;
•Improvement of safety and security systems, including CCTV, access control and fire detection;
Upgrading of media facilities, including the press conference room and media centre.
•The CAF inspection team believes that while several upgrade works have already commenced, the overall scope of intervention remains extensive, requiring sustained progress to maintain alignment with the AFCON delivery timeline.
Talanta Stadium
•Structural completion reaching at least 80%, physically verified.
•CAF validation of functional zoning, including spectator flows, team areas, media areas and VOC location.
•Integration of critical systems within the construction programme (lighting, power redundancy, security).
•Contractual confirmation of procurement for all major technical systems.
According to the report, the project represents a key component of Kenya’s AFCON hosting strategy. However, the stadium remains exposed to risks typically associated with large new-build projects.
Nyayo National Stadium
According to the report, the stadium in its current state doesn’t meet CAF Category 4 requirements and no detailed renovation master plan was submitted.
At this stage, the stadium may more realistically be considered as a training ground.
Kenya’s Training Infrastructure
The training sites include: Kasarani Annexes, Ulinzi and Police Sacco, all within Nairobi City.
The current stand is;
•Lighting certification ≥500 luxury
•Rehabilitated pitches with drainage and irrigation systems
•Operational pitch maintenance equipment storage facilities.
Newly developed training sites demonstrating:
•Sports Academy 1 and 2 completed with growing pitches
•Talanta Annexes 1–3 reaching ≥60% construction progress.
•Consolidation of a realistic and executable training site portfolio, removing immature or non-mobilised projects.
