Sports 23 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
CAF Urges Pamoja Trio: Elevate Game for Afcon 2027 Beyond CHAN Success
CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu has warned Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania that hosting the 2027 Afcon demands a radically different approach from their recent CHAN event, due to its massive scale and expectations. Regional leaders pledged strong commitment and infrastructure investments to deliver a lasting legacy. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/caf-to-pamoja-forget-chan-afcon-is-a-different-ball-game-5434166
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu addressed representatives from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania at the Afcon 2027 Kickoff Meeting in Kampala, emphasizing that the tournament requires a complete mindset shift.
Adamu noted that while CHAN last August provided useful lessons, Afcon is ‘the centre of the world’ with far greater demands: more teams, fans, media, broadcasts, and requirements. With just a year remaining, he stressed urgency, clear milestones, defined roles, and robust government support.
‘We succeed together and share challenges together. We cannot fail,’ Adamu declared, highlighting CAF’s commitment to the Pamoja hosts.
Uganda’s State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang assured full resource provision, backed by over Shs2.2 trillion investment. FUFA president Moses Magogo described Afcon as ‘20 to 50 times bigger than CHAN,’ focusing on infrastructure legacies like multi-purpose stadiums and roads for local benefits.
Kenyan counterpart Hussein Mohammed and Tanzanian leader Wallace Karia echoed the need for sacrifices to ensure post-2027 legacies. Hosts face pressure following Morocco 2025’s high standards, prioritizing stadiums and training facilities by December for 2027 rehearsals.
Kenya LOC chair Nicholas Musonye highlighted infrastructure gaps in East Africa but expressed determination to meet expectations in this unique three-nation bid.