Why East Africa is ripe to host 2027 Nations Cup

Harambee Stars Duke Abuya (left) and Romimgue Kouame (centre) and Dadie Samassekou of Mali during 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers return match at the Nyayo National stadium. Oct 10, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] Uganda and Tanzania feel the East Africa region is in a pole position to win the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The duo submitted a joint EAC Pamoja bid together with Kenya to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt last month. Though the East African nations face stiff opposition from Egypt, Algeria and Botswana's solo bids, federation officials and their respective governments are doing everything possible to ensure the prestigious tournament comes to the region for the first time in history. Kenya lost a chance to host both the 1996 Afcon and 2018 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) due to unpreparedness. But with the support and commitment from all the three Presidents, William Ruto (Kenya), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), and plans to build new stadiums, Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) second vice president Steven Mnguto and Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) Executive member Rogers Araali, feel the region is ripe to stage the tournament. Last month, FKF president Nick Mwendwa equally exuded confidence in winning the hosting rights. While Kenya has plans to upgrade Karasani, Nyayo and Kip Keino Stadiums to meet international standards, Uganda's Namboole Stadium renovation will be completed in November with two new venues set to be built in Hoima and Lira. In Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is being refurbished with new stadiums earmarked in Arusha and Zanzibar in readiness for the 24-nation tournament. In an interview with Standard Sports on the sidelines of the launch of Mchezo Limited's (Sports, Entertainment and Technology) global headquarters in Kigali, Rwanda on Wednesday, Araali said with over 150 million people in population, the region can stage a memorable event with stadiums filled to capacity. Mchezo Managing Director Ntoudi Mouyelo during the launch of Mchezo global headquarters in Kigali, Rwanda on June 14, 2023. [courtesy] "Our biggest challenge as a region has been infrastructure, but all three nations are doing everything possible to at least have three stadiums each to host the six group matches," said Araali. "The positive thing is that the top leadership of the three governments are intertwined. In Kenya, President Ruto gave the bidding team his blessings, same to President Suluhu in Tanzania and President Museveni in Uganda. As you all know, Presidents don't just commit themselves for the sake of it. Like in Uganda, President Museveni personally met CAF president (Patrice Motsepe), with such commitments you can take them to the bank that the tournament is coming to East Africa. "One of the biggest challenges for Afcon in recent years has been match attendances. But, the EAC Pamoja bid now provides CAF and Afcon with nine home games, all attended to full capacity. And it's from competitions like Afcon, that you can balance football development in the continent. Without that, it is impossible." He continued: "So, this is our time. Almost all the West African countries with representatives (11) in the CAF executive and council have hosted this tournament, when will East Africa develop in matters of football if we don't host such a tournament? If we miss this chance, I don't know how long we are going to wait to get it again. "I have been to many Afcon tournaments, if Equatorial Guinea and Gabon with all their problems managed to host it, can we fail to do the same? "So, all of you pessimists in East Africa, you need to join the bandwagon. Nobody can speak four ourselves better than ourselves. It's in our best interest to push our case." And in a bid to win the hosting rights, Mnguto urged the leadership of the region to quickly start deploying both diplomatic and advocacy strategies. "Although we don't have the financial muscle to compete with the Northern nations, we will use our own ways to try and convince CAF and member associations to vote for us. We must lobby to get these hosting rights," said Mnguto. "It is time for all our leaders in the region to start speaking to both CAF executive members and FA presidents to vote for the East Africa bid." While speaking at the event, Mchezo Managing Director Ntoudi Mouyelo whose company owns leading gaming firm betPawa, promised to partner with different governments in the continent to promote sports. "Our new headquarters gives us more room to support governments, sports federations, businesses, sports careers and communities pursuing partnerships that align with our vision," said Mouyelo. "We are here to amplify potential in sports investment, talent development, responsible gamening and technological innovation." The launch was graced by a Cameroonian-born French boxer Carlos Takam, Paris-bound Lesotho female taekwondo star Michelle Tau, Rwanda Trade and Industry Minister Jean Chrisostome Ngabitsinze and Lesotho Sports Minister Pitso Lesaoana. Apart from Kenya and Rwanda, Mchezo has presence in nine other African countries including Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania and Lesotho among others. Talks are already underway for betPawa to partner with the much-talked Africa Super League and Rwanda Basketball Federation. rokumu@standardmedia.co.ke

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