East African leaders on Wednesday hailed the awarding of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a joint bid by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
It is the first time the premier sport event in the continent will be staged by three countries after Ghana/Nigeria (2000) and Equatorial Guinea/Gabon (2012) co-hosted previous editions. The trio won a contest also involving Botswana, Egypt and Senegal after favorites Algeria withdrew on the eve of the vote, saying they had a "new strategy for developing football".
Egypt has hosted the biennial tournament five times, most recently in 2019, and Senegal once, in 1992. Botswana were hoping to stage the AFCON for the first time.
"We thank Allah we have succeeded in hosting the great AFCON2027, partnering with Kenya and Uganda." Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said on X (formerly Twitter).
The leader also congratulated "everyone who played a role to make sure our country secures this rare opportunity."
"I now order the ministry of culture, arts and sports to make proper preparations, including to complete the construction of two new stadiums in Dodoma and Arusha on time, to the required standards," the president added.
Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also took to X to express his delight at the AFCON returning to East Africa for the first time since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976.
"It is quite exhilarating to receive the news that the joint bid by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to host the AFCON2027 has... been accepted by the Confederation of African Football," Gachagua noted.
Moreover, the deputy president stressed that "the Pamoja [together] bid fronted by President [of Kenya William Ruto] and the other heads of state was one of its kind, as it underscored our readiness to work together to ensure the competition comes to East Africa."
Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, a spokesman for the east African regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), rejoiced in a social media post that the Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda bid had been successful.
"Delighted with the news of two IGAD member states - Kenya and Uganda (together with Tanzania) being awarded the honor of hosting the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. This show of confidence is a testament to our region's passion and commitment to sports. We eagerly anticipate harnessing the unifying power of sports to foster harmony across our region and the African continent at large," he posted on X.