Ivorian journalist Mamadou Gaye/FILEIvorian journalist Mamadou Gaye has sought to clarify controversial remarks he made questioning East Africa’s readiness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He argued that the standards for hosting AFCON have risen significantly following Morocco’s staging of the 2025 tournament. He noted that Morocco’s hosting of AFCON 2025 had set a new benchmark for the continent, raising expectations for infrastructure, transport and overall organisation. While acknowledging that East Africa has made progress, the journalist questioned whether the region currently meets the demands of a tournament of AFCON’s scale. “In 1996 AFCON was given to Kenya but because they were not ready it went to South Africa,” he said.

Source: The Star January 19, 2026 16:58 UTC