Leaders from government, football associations, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have pledged unity, urgency, and full commitment as the PAMOJA workshop for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 officially opened in Kampala, setting the stage for what organisers describe as a historic tournament for East Africa.
The high-level meeting brings together the three co-host nations—Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania—alongside officials from the Confederation of African Football to align preparations for the continental championship scheduled for 2027.
“We will not let you down”
Opening the workshop, Uganda’s Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, reaffirmed the government’s readiness to deliver the tournament on schedule.
“I thank the Confederation of African Football for giving PAMOJA this opportunity to host AFCON in 2027,” Ogwang said. “On behalf of the Government of Uganda, I reaffirm our commitment to host AFCON in 2027 in line with the agreement.”
He added: “The three governments are committed to providing the resources required to ensure this tournament takes place as scheduled. We will not let you down. We promise to make AFCON 2027 the most historic tournament.”
Ogwang also praised CAF leadership for continued technical support, noting that East Africa was ready to build on the experience gained from previous tournaments, including CHAN. “PAMOJA delivered the best CHAN tournament, and if we achieved that, we can deliver the best AFCON in history,” he said.
Football will not be the same in this region
FUFA President Moses Magogo said AFCON 2027 represents a defining moment for East African football and regional integration.
“We are ready to learn, improve and deliver,” Magogo said. “Where we fell short during CHAN, we will improve. Our objective is to make East Africa the best host Africa has ever had.”
He emphasised that the tournament goes beyond football, describing it as a catalyst for tourism, investment, and regional unity. “Football will not be the same in this region after this tournament,” he said. “This is an opportunity for the East African Community to deepen integration. Football is bringing East Africa together.”
Magogo also thanked CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe for supporting broader African participation in hosting major tournaments, saying the event would help address infrastructure gaps and strengthen future hosting capacity.
Kenya and Tanzania call for urgency and legacy
Kenya’s Football Federation President Hussein Mohammed urged host nations to focus beyond the tournament itself.
“What happens after 2027 will define us,” he said. “This requires sacrifice, longer hours and commitment beyond personal interests. We must ensure the legacy we leave behind benefits future generations.”
He assured stakeholders that the region would deliver a successful tournament.
“We will do everything possible to make AFCON 2027 the best in history,” he said.
Tanzania Football Federation President Wallace Karia called for disciplined execution and strict timelines.
“We will not let you down,” Karia said. “We must complete all key tasks before the end of December so that final preparations can proceed smoothly.”
CAF warns: “We cannot fail”
CAF General Secretary Samson Adamu delivered one of the strongest messages of urgency, warning that AFCON requires a different level of preparation compared to CHAN.
“AFCON is a completely different tournament with greater scale, expectations and requirements,” Adamu said. “We must adopt a new mindset. We are about one year away, and time is limited.”
He stressed the importance of clarity in roles and accountability.
“From this meeting, roles and responsibilities must be clear, and milestones well defined,” he said. “We succeed together and face challenges together. We cannot fail. I will not allow us to fail.”
Adamu also cited the economic potential of the tournament, referencing previous editions that generated significant investment and tourism impact.
A unified East African ambition
Across all speeches, a consistent message emerged: AFCON 2027 is not just a sporting event but a regional transformation project.
Leaders emphasised that the tournament will strengthen infrastructure, boost tourism, and accelerate East African integration while showcasing the region’s ability to host major global events.
The PAMOJA workshop continues, with stakeholders expected to finalise key operational frameworks and timelines as preparations for AFCON 2027 enter a critical phase.