2027 AFCON comes to East Africa: What does it mean for Rwanda, region?

Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya will co-host the 17th edition of the African Cup of Nations tournament, in 2027. Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, announced the host countries for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations during a ceremony held in Cairo, Egypt, on September 27. ALSO READ: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda to co host 2027 AFCON Motsepe announced the East Africa Pamoja [together] Bid as the winner of the rights to host the premier African football bonanza after the CAF Executive Committee's meeting in Cairo. Morocco won the rights to host the 2025 edition of the Cup of Nations after Nigeria and Algeria withdrew their bids. Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua took to X to express his delight. He said: “The Pamoja Bid fronted by H.E President @WilliamsRuto and the other Heads of State was one of its kind as it underscored our readiness to work together to ensure the competition comes to East Africa for the first time in its history.” It is quite exhilarating to receive the news that the joint bid by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations has this afternoon been accepted by the Confederation of African Football. The Pamoja Bid fronted by H.E President @WilliamsRuto and the other... pic.twitter.com/PZtqxAI4rs — H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH (@rigathi) September 27, 2023 2027 edition is going to be beautiful Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania automatically qualified – after Egypt, Senegal, Botswana, and Algeria withdrew from the race two days before the official announcement – to the hosting rights. Motsepe said: The 2027 edition is going to be beautiful. The commitment and drive made by the three presidents of the countries shows how eager the region is to host this event.” 2027 CAF Africa Cup of Nations hosts: SET! Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania. pic.twitter.com/dQ5ZgHUSpz — CAF (@CAF_Online) September 27, 2023 Only two countries from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations, CECAFA, have hosted AFCON. Sudan staged the first edition in 1957 and in 1970. Ethiopia hosted it in 1962, 1968, and 1976. In terms of football on the continent, North, West, and Central Africa has dominated the scene over the years and it is a great initiative for CAF to bring the tournament to East Africa. At least, three CECAFA teams – Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya – are already guaranteed qualification and others will fight for other slots. For Rwanda, the joint hosting of the AFCON by three countries in the region – two of them, Uganda and Tanzania, share a border with Rwanda – is a good incentive for Amavubi to participate. The hosting of the competition will bring the development of football infrastructure and others to the sub-region as countries in CECAFA seek to catch up with others on the continent. The President of Rwanda Football Federation, Alphonse Munyantwali, said they are thrilled that the competition is coming to the region. We’re of course happy to see AFCON coming closer to Rwanda as neighboring countries are going to host it jointly. The hosting countries are going to develop more football infrastructure that will be used not only by the three countries but also by the players in the region in various competitions, Munyantwali told Times Sport. The FERWAFA boss said that many Rwandans will travel to the neighboring countries to have a real AFCON experience; watching games live at the various stadiums. AFCON being closer means that Rwandans would be able to easily go to the neighboring countries to watch matches. It also shows that in the near future countries in our region will be able to host AFCON and other competitions. With the competition coming closer, Munyantwali believes that players on Rwanda’s national team, Amavubi, will be motivated to go all out and secure qualification since they know the East African terrain well and this could work in their favor during the tournament. A closer-to-home AFCON will motivate our players in the region to aspire and work hard.” Rwanda has only been to the AFCON once, in 2004, in Tunisia under Serbian tactician Ratomir Dujkovic. Afterward, the country struggled. Securing qualification to the 2025 edition in Morocco as well as the 2027 event in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya would be a great step in bringing the glory days back.

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2027 AFCON comes to East Africa: What does it mean for Rwanda, region?