Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-12 21:10:17
The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, popularly known as Afcon, came to an exciting end as hosts Côte d’Ivoire emerged victorious over Nigeria after four weeks of thrilling football action. The tournament, originally scheduled for 2023, was pushed back to avoid the rainy season in Côte d’Ivoire. The next edition of Afcon will be held in Morocco in 2025, followed by the 2027 edition which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
As Kenya prepares to co-host Afcon 2027, there are significant considerations that need to be addressed in order to ensure the successful execution of the event. Hosting a major international sporting event is a complex undertaking, and co-hosting with two other nations presents additional challenges due to jurisdictional overlaps that must be carefully navigated. This will be the first time in the history of Afcon that the tournament will be jointly hosted by three different countries. It is also the first time that the tournament will be held in the eastern African region since 1976.
The local organising committees in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the tournament. However, the governments of these countries will also need to bear the financial burden of infrastructure development, including the construction and upgrade of stadiums, improvement of transportation systems, and modernization of airports.
In the case of Kenya, it is crucial that the government takes a proactive role in driving the preparations for Afcon 2027. The success of the tournament cannot be solely entrusted to the Football Kenya Federation, as it requires extensive coordination and collaboration with the governments of Uganda and Tanzania. There are concerns about the government’s capacity to deliver on such a large-scale event, especially in a period when political energies may be diverted to re-election campaigns.
Despite these challenges, the successful hosting of the just-ended Afcon by Côte d’Ivoire serves as an example of what determination and focus can achieve. The country, which has faced civil wars, political instability, and economic challenges, was able to overcome these obstacles and deliver a resounding success. This should serve as a source of inspiration for Kenya as it prepares for Afcon 2027.
To ensure the successful hosting of Afcon 2027, President William Ruto and the Kenyan government must prioritize the preparations for the tournament over political considerations. This requires a concerted effort to address the longstanding issues with the country’s sporting infrastructure, particularly the state of the main stadiums in Nairobi. Additionally, there is a need for urgency in completing the necessary infrastructure upgrades to meet international standards.
The commitment to delivering on the promises made for Afcon 2027 must be unwavering, and all stakeholders, including government officials, sports administrators, and local organising committees, must work collaboratively to make it a reality. President Ruto’s leadership will be integral in driving these efforts and ensuring that Kenya is fully prepared to co-host Afcon 2027. It is essential that the country learns from past shortcomings and commits to a diligent and focused approach to hosting the tournament.
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