• President William Ruto promised to lobby to have the event held in the East African region for the first time ever in history.
• Caf has acknowledged receiving a declaration of interest from Algeria, Botswana, and Egypt to stage the continental showpiece.
Image: FILE
Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya is confident the joint bid to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals will pass the integrity set by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and get approval.
On Wednesday last week, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania presented a joint bid to the African body seeking to host the competition.
Before the bid was presented to Caf, Kenya’s President William Ruto promised to lobby to have the event held in the East African region for the first time ever in history.
“With three countries keen to co-host the Afcon I think they have a better chance to pass the Caf test. It is not a Kenyan affair but a three-nation affair which makes it even possible for the bid to be approved by Caf,” he reiterated.
Nyamweya continued: “For example, we will need two venues from each country to host the event. In Kenya, we have Kasarani and Nyayo which only needs refurbishment to be ready. Uganda and Tanzania have two of their biggest stadia if the bid was for Kenya alone then it could remain a pipe dream to have it come home.”
Nyamweya further explained why he would love to see Kenya and especially East Africa stage the continental showpiece.
“It is been my dream all along to see Kenya host Afcon and I will be the happiest man if this bid is approved, we missed out on Afcon some years back and lately Chan which was my brainchild,” added Nyamweya.
“But with the current bid being supported fully by the heads of state from the three nations, I have a strong feeling it will be the first time for Afcon to come to East Africa.
On if there could be anything to hinder the process, Nyamweya said: “Mostly Caf goes for nations that have hosted some of their junior events before, like U17, U20 and even women tournaments when picking a host nation and you know we have never hosted such tournaments in the country.
“I really don't know what criteria they will use but this being a tournament to be co-hosted by the three nations, they may change tune. They may use other avenues and this will be an added advantage to the bid.”
Apart from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Caf has acknowledged receiving a declaration of interest from Algeria, Botswana, and Egypt to stage the continental showpiece.