It is impossible for Kenya to host the AFCON 2027 tournament as co-hosts with Uganda and Tanzania due to lack of capacity, says Ibrahim Shikanda.
The Immediate former Kakamega Homeboyz assistant coach has stated that there are no standard venues in the country including all the needed facilities to give Kenya an upper hand over other nations in the race to clinch the hosting rights.
He also questions goodwill, to put up the structures in time.
“For now I can’t lie to you because according to the venues and facilities we have, it is impossible unless the federation and the government does something big. Afcon entails a a lot, a standard match venues and great training facilities,” Shikanda said.
Kenya has been at the forefront lobbying for the hosting rights in partnership with Uganda and Tanzania but Shikanda is not convinced the government is done enough.
“It’s not just playing. It’s about standard training grounds as well as better venues to play football from. It is not something that we cannot just wake up and say we are ready to host Afcon. Kenya is still miles away,” Shikanda added.
The venues Kenya has lined up for consideration by CAF are Kasarani, Nyayo and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret for the prestigious event.
Kenya submitted her bid to host the biggest African football tournament in May, in conjunction with Uganda and Tanzania – dubbed ‘East Africa Pamoja’ and has since embarked on aligning to meet Confederation of African Football standards.
CAF inspectors toured Kenya last week, and visited the venues proposed to host the event.
Algeria, Egypt and Botswana are other countries rivaling the East Africa ‘Pamoja’ bid for Africa’s most lucrative football tournament.
However, in the tour, Sports CS stated that “with or without Afcon”, Kenya is keen to develop sporting facilities for the future.
