Caf President Patrice Motsepe is optimistic Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will deliver the best-ever Africa nations Championships later this year.
The Cecafa region will stage the tournament — which features local players — in September, as revealed by Tanzania Football Federation president Wallace Karia.
It will be used as a dry run for the 2027 Cup of Nations which will be hosted by the three countries.
Speaking in Abidjan on the eve of Afcon 2023, Motsepe said: “Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have got some of the most exceptional players. The Can in those three countries is going to be the most successful.”
Caf is facing the challenge of fixing tournament dates as the global calendar is currently congested with 2024 also set to have football at the Paris Olympic Games.
“There is a problem that comes with success. There are just so many competitions, so much interest and many sponsors. The Chan we had in Algeria was beautiful and a huge success and of course, Senegal won it. We must be careful to ensure we get the date and timing correctly,” added Motsepe.
Meanwhile, Motsepe hinted that Cafare considering scrapping the Confederation Cup due to expenses and the number of tournaments currently in place.
“The Champions League is excellent but I’m not making money from the Champions League, same thing with Chan. We need money to give to our members and clubs. We are looking at these things, they are not easy answers because we have to check with the sponsors. I have got to shock the system. We may have to do away with the Confederation Cup,” said Motsepe.
He also expressed optimism that Afcon 2023 will be a success and there will be no repeat of Cameroon 2021.
“The Cameroon situation in 2021 was avoidable. As far as I am the president of CafI have to take responsibility for everything that happens. I’m satisfied that appropriate steps have been taken here to avoid the painful experience we had in Cameroon,” he added.
The 2023 Cup of Nations kicked of on Saturday night with hosts Cote d’Ivoire beating Guinea Bissau 2-0.
