Sport
AFCON 2027: Kenya, Tanzania Stadiums Fails Inspection as CAF Urge Them To Speed Up Preparations

June 19, 2027. That’s the date the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in what will be a historic first — the first AFCON co-hosted by three nations, and the first on East African soil in five decades. It sounds magnificent. Right now, though, the reality on the ground is making football fans across the continent slightly nervous.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be the 36th edition of the tournament organised by CAF, hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 18 July 2027. This edition will be the first to be hosted by three countries, and the first in five decades to be organised in the CECAFA region, since it was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.
All of that is exciting. What is less exciting is what CAF’s inspection teams found when they went to assess the venues.
A recent CAF delegation discovered some alarming details as Kasarani, Nyayo and Talanta Stadiums all failed inspection. This means that none of Kenya’s proposed stadiums currently meet CAF’s required standards. The inspection highlighted serious shortcomings across key venues, including Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium, and the under-construction Talanta Sports City. Issues range from outdated infrastructure and incomplete upgrades to broader concerns about safety, security, and operational readiness.
Kenya wasn’t alone in the red. A CAF inspection report from February 2026, publicised in late March, indicated that none of Uganda’s proposed competition venues, including Mandela National Stadium Namboole and the newly commissioned Hoima City Stadium, fully met CAF Category 4 standards at the time of the visit.
The urgency is real, and the three nations know it.
Uganda has responded with a significant financial commitment. The Ugandan government approved an additional 905 billion Ugandan shillings — approximately $242 million — to fast-track preparations for the tournament. This new amount brings Uganda’s total commitment for AFCON 2027 and related CHAN 2024 preparations to more than 2.2 trillion Ugandan shillings, over $588 million. A follow-up CAF inspection is scheduled for August 2026, and officials say the funds will address the identified gaps.
For their venues, Uganda is preparing the Mandela National Stadium and Hoima City Stadium to host AFCON 2027 matches, alongside eight training pitches for participating national teams. The country is also working towards constructing new hotels and developing existing ones, aiming for a total of six 4- or 5-star hotels in Hoima City.
Kenya, meanwhile, had its own financial scare to navigate first. Financial uncertainty had threatened to derail Kenya’s AFCON dream. At one point, the country risked losing its hosting rights altogether due to delays in paying the mandatory Ksh3.9 billion hosting fee to CAF. The government only managed to secure tournament organisation after a last-minute payment just ahead of the deadline.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed Kenya remitted the full $30 million hosting fee to CAF, covering the joint Pamoja Bid that the country shares with Uganda and Tanzania. With that hurdle cleared, the focus has fully shifted to the stadiums.
Tanzania has proposed the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Samia Suluhu Stadium in Arusha, and the Fumba and Amaan stadiums in Zanzibar as its host venues, while Kenya is banking on Kasarani, Nyayo, and the ambitious under-construction Talanta Sports City. The government has set a strict deadline for all tournament venues to be fully ready and certified by January 2027 — six months before the tournament kicks off.
There is a sobering precedent worth remembering here. CAF stripped Cameroon of hosting the 2019 edition due to lack of speed of progress in preparations, and similarly stripped Guinea as host for the 2025 edition due to inadequacy and speed of progress. East Africa’s trio will be well aware that good intentions alone won’t keep the hosting rights intact.
The ambition behind AFCON 2027 PAMOJA is genuine and inspiring — three nations, one tournament, one historic moment for East African football. But ambition needs infrastructure. With just over a year to go, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are in a race they cannot afford to lose. The continent is watching.
Sport
MK Dons Captain Favour Omenazu Gets First Super Falcons Call-Up After Choosing Nigeria

Milton Keynes Dons captain Favour Omenazu has received her first-ever call-up to the Nigeria senior women’s national team after committing her international future to the Super Falcons.
Omenazu was included in Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifying fixtures against Comoros, marking a major milestone in the 24-year-old’s career.
The midfielder, who is also eligible to represent England, publicly expressed her desire to play for Nigeria earlier this year. She said representing the country would be a proud moment because of her Nigerian heritage and family roots.
Omenazu also said her ambition was not simply to earn a place in the national team but to contribute to the Super Falcons’ success.
The MK Dons captain has developed into an important player for the English club and is known for her versatility. Although she primarily operates as a midfielder, she has also impressed at right-back, a position where she has earned several Player of the Match awards.
Her football journey began at Leicester City before spells with Bugbrooke St Michaels, Northampton Town and Stourbridge preceded her move to MK Dons.
Omenazu’s invitation comes as Nigeria prepares for a two-legged Olympic qualifying tie against Comoros.
The first leg is scheduled for October 9, while the return fixture will take place on October 13. Both matches are set to be played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo because Comoros does not have a CAF-approved venue for the fixture.
The Super Falcons have also been dealing with several player withdrawals ahead of the qualifiers, creating opportunities for new faces to join the squad.
Omenazu has now joined the group in camp as Nigeria begins preparations for the crucial Olympic qualifying encounter.
The call-up gives the MK Dons captain an opportunity to make her senior international debut and begin her journey with the Super Falcons after choosing Nigeria over England.
Sport
BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo Walks Away From Portugal Camp After Jorge Jesus Snub

Cristiano Ronaldo has sensationally walked away from Portugal’s national-team camp after head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner would not start the upcoming match against Denmark.
The dramatic development follows Ronaldo’s shock omission from Portugal’s 2–1 victory over Norway, where he spent the entire match on the bench despite warming up.
Ronaldo has now broken his silence, revealing that he decided to leave the camp following Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.
“After the press conference of the National Team Coach, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the National Team camp,” Ronaldo said.
The Portugal captain added that he would eventually reveal the reasons behind his decision, before wishing the national team and his teammates well.
The timing has immediately raised questions over whether Ronaldo has effectively called time on his international career.
However, there is currently no confirmed official announcement that Ronaldo has permanently retired from international football. What is confirmed is that he has left the camp amid an escalating dispute over his role under Jorge Jesus.
After more than two decades of carrying Portugal’s No. 7 shirt, the football world is now waiting for Ronaldo’s next move — and, crucially, the explanation he has promised to give.
Sport
Super Eagles Beat Madagascar 2-1 in AFCON 2027 Qualifier as Ilenikhena, Usor Score

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have begun their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The visitors took an early lead in the 16th minute when Clément Couturier headed Ryan Ponti’s cross beyond the Nigerian defence to put Madagascar 1-0 ahead.
Nigeria responded with sustained pressure as George Ilenikhena came close on several occasions. The young forward eventually got his reward in first-half stoppage time after Alex Iwobi picked him out inside the box. Ilenikhena calmly placed the ball into the bottom-left corner to restore parity.
The Super Eagles returned for the second half looking for a winner, with Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey both going close.
Coach Eric Chelle then made changes, bringing on Moses Usor and Moses Simon in an attempt to add more attacking energy.
The substitutions quickly paid off.
In the 65th minute, Usor collected a pass from Semi Ajayi inside Nigeria’s half, drove forward past two Madagascar players and finished with his left foot to give Nigeria a 2-1 advantage.
The goal marked an impressive competitive debut for the LASK winger.
Madagascar refused to give up and created opportunities as they searched for an equaliser. Nigeria also had chances to extend their lead, but the Super Eagles ultimately held on to secure all three points.
The victory gives Nigeria a positive start in Group L of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Their next assignment will be an away match against Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
The 2027 AFCON finals will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with Tanzania already assured of a place as one of the co-hosts.
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