Peter Ogwang, the Ugandan State Minster for Sports, has revealed that he is not aware of any plans by Kenya to be involved in the East African joint bidding process for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).While acknowledging the agreement in place between Uganda and Tanzania, Ogwang stated that he had not received any information concerning Kenya’s plan to join the two other East African nations in bidding for the 2027 edition of the tournament.“I am not aware of that. As far as I know, it is Uganda and Tanzania preparing to bid for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, we have not received any information contrary to that,” Ogwang told Football256.Kenya will submit a joint bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) along with Uganda and Tanzania.Other countries that want to host the tournament areBotswana and NamibiaBurkina FasoSenegalZambiaMorocco pic.twitter.com/AUYgcFtZuO— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) October 28, 2022 The statement from the Ugandan official comes as no surprise despite Kenya’s official public intention to bid for the tournament as Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba confirmed on Monday that the country had not informed any of the two nations about their bid.”We are preparing ourselves and as soon as we are ready to engage any partner we want to work with towards AFCON 2027, we will engage those we believe will be useful. In the meantime, we just want to be ready and put our house in order,” Namwamba said in presence of the FIFA delegation that visited the country led by the FIFA Director Member Associations Africa Gelson Fernandes.Despite declaring their interest to jointly bid for the 2027 AFCON, Kenya is yet to inform and engage Uganda and Tanzania about their plans.Uganda and Tanzania are already working together on their plan.#AFCON2027pic.twitter.com/kDs4i4uE87— Ochieng’ Stephen (@soo_ochieng) January 10, 2023 Back in December 2022, the Kenyan Cabinet approved a joint bid to host the 36th edition of the continental tourney set for 2027 which was confirmed in a recent statement from the Office of the President.”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 read.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 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.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.##NAJAVA_MECA_6938340##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.Sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala, five rugby stars headline sportmen passing out from police trainingThe CAF Executive Committee is expected to designate the host country at the beginning of 2023.
