Kenyan Cabinet has approved a joint bid to host the 36th edition of Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in 2027.In a recent statement from the office of the president, the move is geared towards “reviving the prospects of Kenyan football” and as a “stepping stone towards the Harambee Stars qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in the year 2030.”Happening Now:CS @AbabuNamwamba joins H.E. President William Ruto @StateHouseKenya and other dignitaries for the official launch of the Kenya Innovation Week 2022, at Sarit Expo Centre. The event is hosted by @moscakenya through @KENIAupdates. pic.twitter.com/DBx65Pegbj— Ministry Of Youth Affairs, Sports & The Arts (@moscakenya) December 6, 2022 “The national effort will encompass the rebuilding of the men’s national team, the Harambee Stars, and the rebuilding of the women’s national team, the Harambee Starlets.”As a stepping stone towards the target of the Harambee Stars qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in the year 2030, the Cabinet approved a proposal to host the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in 2027 alongside EAC partner states,” the statement reads.Tanzania has already expressed interest to stage the biennial showpiece, according to multiple media reports.Also angling for the opportunity to stage the continent’s most prestigious tournament is Senegal, who will be challenged by Burkina Faso, Morocco, Zambia, and the joint bid of the Botswana-Namibia duo. The CAF Executive Committee will designate the host country at the beginning of 2023.The Cabinet has approved the proposal to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, alongside EAC partner states. pic.twitter.com/mLiBH2BblQ— Oliver Mathenge (@OliverMathenge) December 6, 2022 Since staging the 1986 All Africa Games in which the Harambee Stars reached the final, losing to Egypt, Kenya has twice failed to host two major football tournaments due to lack of government support; the 1992 AFCON, which South Africa run away with and the 2018 Championship of African Nations, CHAN, which Morocco gladly grabbed.Cameroon used six stadiums to host the expanded 24-team AFCON last year. As at now, Kenya has no stadium approved to host international matches with the Kasarani Stadium and Nyayo Stadium all falling short of CAF, the continental football body, requirements.In a recent CAF inspection, the two largest national facilities, were found inadequate and need more work to attain the required standards.
