Kenya joins race to host 2027 AFCON

Over a week after their ban from international football got lifted by FIFA for government interference, Kenya has entered the race to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

This comes at a time when two other East African countries, Uganda and Tanzania confirmed they will make a joint bid to be hosts of the coveted competition.

A Cabinet decision was made on Wednesday to have Kenya join hands with the other East African nations, and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) CEO, Barry Otieno believes the plan will produce positives.

“As a step towards achieving Harambee Stars’ goal of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in 2030, the Cabinet approved the proposal to organize the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, together with the EAC partner countries,” he was quoted by The Star.

“We would like to thank the government for showing a desire to support Kenyan football. With the kind of support and enthusiasm displayed by the Cabinet Secretary for Sports thus far, I’m sure we can make AFCON a reality in Kenya.”

“Hosting AFCON will most definitely put Kenya on the world map. We are confident the CS can steer us to the heights we’ve been desiring including expediting the process of constructing quality stadia that can host such big tournaments,” he added.

“The joint bid will deploy the power of sports in developing regional co-operation,” a cabinet resolution partly said.

It’s not the first time Kenya has expressed interest to host the prestigious competition, as they tried and failed in 1996 due to a lack of standard facilities.

Kenya was also unable to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2018 over similar grounds.

This story was first published by football256.com and relayed by kick442.com as an official media partner.