David GOMBE

The Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) inspection group confirmed via its report, that not one of the proposed competitors stadiums from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda was able to host Africa’s largest soccer competitors in 2027.

The East African nations are as a consequence of host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations however based on CAF, the general evaluation signifies that the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 infrastructure programme throughout the three host nations is at the moment in a building, upgrading and corrective part.

Dr Christian Emeruwa (Head of Security & Safety) and Stephanie Totokra (Head of Infrastructure) who carried out the inspections within the three nations in February this 12 months confirmed of their report that extra works should be executed on the internet hosting venues.

The inspection group is predicted to conduct one other inspection in August and consider the next areas needs to be cleared and fulfilled;

•Confirmed authorities funding for infrastructure and operations.
•Substantial completion of stadium building and refurbishment works, with a minimal of 80% completion the place relevant, to permit for set up, testing, and operational readiness actions.
•Set up, integration and commissioning of important stadium programs, together with floodlighting, security and safety infrastructure, communication programs, and emergency administration programs.
•Upgrading and certification of all designated coaching amenities to fulfill CAF AFCON minimal technical, security, and operational requirements.
•Demonstrable progress on supporting infrastructure, together with entry roads, visitors circulation plans, utilities, energy redundancy programs, and perimeter safety installations round competitors venues.
•Affirmation of airport operational readiness, together with arrival/departure dealing with capability, VIP and group processing procedures, and coordination with immigration and customs authorities.
•Affirmation of enough lodge lodging capability assembly CAF necessities for groups, officers, media, industrial companions and different match stakeholders.
•Institution and affirmation of a typical visa facilitation framework throughout the three host nations to make sure easy and well timed entry for all accredited match stakeholders.

What’s in CAF Report

UGANDA

As of February 2026, not one of the proposed competitors stadiums in Uganda absolutely meets CAF Class 4 necessities.

Uganda’s AFCON 2027 infrastructure programme is at the moment in a blended part of building, upgrading and operational redesign.

Hoima Metropolis Stadium

A newly constructed stadium requiring operational redesign. Though the stadium construction is accomplished and operational, a number of main operational deficiencies had been recognized.

Key points embrace:

*Absence of clear segregation between spectator classes;
*Cross-circulation between media, VIP, groups and common spectators;
Non-compliant referee dressing rooms;
*Non-compliance of gamers’ dressing rooms;
*Media amenities under AFCON requirements;
*Blended zone incorrectly positioned inside the competitors space;
*Restricted operational buffer area because of the stadium’s geographical location.
*Present place of the benches inflicting a significant view obstruction from the stands.

Mandela Nationwide Stadium

In keeping with CAF, Mandela Nationwide Stadium requires main upgrading works, indicating it at the moment presents main compliance gaps with CAF Class 4 necessities.

A big-scale improve undertaking has been proposed, together with:
•Partial demolition of the West Stand;
structural enlargement;
•roof alternative.
Nevertheless, the preliminary 15-month building timeline is incompatible with AFCON 2027 supply necessities. CAF has due to this fact really useful revising the improve technique to:

•Maximise use of the present structural body;
•Cut back building period to focus on completion by December 2026.

Akii Bua Stadium

The inspection group didn’t go to the stadium.

Coaching Infrastructure

CAF reveals that the coaching infrastructure throughout the clusters additionally exhibits uneven ranges of
readiness, with a number of proposed websites requiring rehabilitation or improvement.

Coaching amenities throughout the Hoima and Kampala clusters stay significantly uneven. A number of proposed websites are at the moment non-compliant with CAF coaching requirements.

Key challenges embrace:

•Inadequate variety of compliant coaching grounds in Hoima;
Pitch rehabilitation necessities.
•Lighting set up and certification (≥500 lux);
•Completion of dressing rooms and technical amenities.

TANZANIA

Tanzania stands out from the three host nations based on the inspection report, presenting a extra superior structural place. Nevertheless, its internet hosting mannequin introduces further operational complexity as a consequence of three geographical clusters in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha.

“Whereas this configuration supplies geographic stability, it will increase the necessity for robust coordination mechanisms and dependable supporting infrastructure throughout the totally different host areas,” the report suggests.

Benjamin Mkapa Stadium

The stadium requires main upgrading works with the intention to meet AFCON competitors necessities.

Key upgrades embrace:

Full pitch reconstruction and agronomic stabilisation;
Improve of stadium lighting to ≥2500 lux;
Set up of energy redundancy programs;
Growth of hospitality infrastructure (lounges, high quality of VIP and VVIP seats and so on.)
Enchancment of spectator circulate segregation.
Integration of security and safety programs.

Samia Suluhu Stadium

Samia Suluhu Stadium is at the moment essentially the most superior stadium undertaking inside Tanzania’s competitors portfolio, based on the report.

Remaining dangers relate primarily to the set up and commissioning of important operational programs, together with:

Set up and certification of stadium lighting;
Completion of energy redundancy programs;
Set up of security and safety infrastructure;
Broadcast and operational programs integration.
Fumba Stadium

Fumba Stadium is a brand new stadium at the moment underneath building in Zanzibar.

Key publicity areas embrace:

Spectator circulation design
Segregation between totally different spectator classes.
Early coordination of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) programs, together with lighting, energy and security infrastructure.
“With out early validation of those programs, late-stage structural changes might happen, doubtlessly affecting the development timeline,” the report states.

Amaan Stadium

By August 2026 the Tanzanian authorities should present:

•A proper authorities resolution on the stadium’s position inside AFCON 2027
•If retained as a contest venue, a validated architectural redesign demonstrating CAF compliance
•Alternatively, reclassification of the stadium as a coaching facility, Coaching Infrastructure (anticipated degree of completion >75%)

The August inspection will confirm:

•Affirmation of the ultimate portfolio of coaching websites throughout all clusters
•Lighting certification ≥500 lux
•Pitch rehabilitation and agronomic stabilisation programmes applied.
•Availability of pitch upkeep gear
•Operational dressing rooms and technical amenities
Supporting Infrastructure

The next supporting infrastructure parts should additionally show measurable progress:

•Entry roads to the Arusha stadium underneath building
•Hall electrification and CCTV safety protection plans applied
•Confirmed utility connections (water, electrical energy, drainage)
•Validated lodge lodging capability
Airport logistics coordination and transport planning

KENYA

As of February 2026, not one of the proposed competitors stadiums in Kenya absolutely meets CAF Class 4 necessities. Kenya’s AFCON 2027 infrastructure programme is at the moment in a blended part of building, upgrading and operational changes.

Moi Worldwide Sports activities Centre – Kasarani, an current stadium, is present process main upgrading works.
Talanta Sports activities Advanced, a brand new stadium, is at the moment underneath building.
Nyayo Nationwide Stadium, an current stadium with restricted feasibility as a contest venue.

Moi Worldwide Sports activities Centre- Kasarani Standing

The improve scope contains:

•Reconfiguration of spectator circulation and segregation;
•Growth of hospitality areas (VVIP, VIP and skyboxes);
•Relocation and restructuring of the Venue Operations Centre (VOC);
Reconstruction of the competitors pitch, together with drainage and irrigation programs;
•Set up of a brand new lighting system compliant with 3000 lux broadcast requirements;
•Enchancment of security and safety programs, together with CCTV, entry management and fireplace detection;
Upgrading of media amenities, together with the press convention room and media centre.
•The CAF inspection group believes that whereas a number of improve works have already commenced, the general scope of intervention stays in depth, requiring sustained progress to keep up alignment with the AFCON supply timeline.

Talanta Stadium

•Structural completion reaching not less than 80%, bodily verified.
•CAF validation of practical zoning, together with spectator flows, group areas, media areas and VOC location.
•Integration of important programs inside the building programme (lighting, energy redundancy, safety).
•Contractual affirmation of procurement for all main technical programs.

In keeping with the report, the undertaking represents a key part of Kenya’s AFCON internet hosting technique. Nevertheless, the stadium stays uncovered to dangers usually related to giant new-build initiatives.

Nyayo Nationwide Stadium

In keeping with the report, the stadium in its present state doesn’t meet CAF Class 4 necessities and no detailed renovation grasp plan was submitted.

At this stage, the stadium might extra realistically be thought of as a coaching floor.

Kenya’s Coaching Infrastructure

The coaching websites embrace: Kasarani Annexes, Ulinzi and Police Sacco, all inside Nairobi Metropolis.

The present stand is;

•Lighting certification ≥500 luxurious
•Rehabilitated pitches with drainage and irrigation programs
⁠•Operational pitch upkeep gear storage amenities.

Newly developed coaching websites demonstrating:

•Sports activities Academy 1 and a couple of accomplished with rising pitches
•Talanta Annexes 1–3 reaching ≥60% building progress.
•Consolidation of a practical and executable coaching website portfolio, eradicating immature or non-mobilised initiatives.