The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has expressed confidence in Tanzania's readiness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). A recent inspection of stadiums and training facilities earmarked for the tournament revealed satisfactory progress. CAF General Secretary Samson Adamu led the assessment, focusing on progress at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and designated training grounds in Dar es Salaam, as well as the new Fumba Stadium in Zanzibar.
The inspection, which took place on October 31, found encouraging progress at the training grounds and ongoing renovation works at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Adamu said the developments reflected Tanzania's commitment to meeting the standards required to stage Africa's biggest national team football competition. He expressed confidence that the country would deliver a successful tournament. The positive assessment is a significant milestone in Tanzania's preparations to co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Uganda.
The CAF delegation subsequently visited Fumba Stadium in Zanzibar, where construction has reached 87 per cent completion. The stadium is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026. The Fumba Stadium is one of the key infrastructure investments supporting Tanzania's preparations for the tournament. It is being constructed by Turkey-based Orkum Group and is expected to play an important role in Zanzibar's contribution to the competition.
Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) president Wallace Karia welcomed the positive assessment from CAF officials. He described the tournament as a major opportunity for Tanzania, urging citizens and stakeholders to embrace the event and contribute to its successful organisation. Karia said the progress made across the country's infrastructure projects demonstrated the benefits of hosting the tournament.
National Sports Council (NSC) Executive Secretary Neema Msitha said CAF had urged Tanzania to sustain its efforts and work diligently to ensure all facilities were ready for handover within the required timeframe. She acknowledged that none of the stadium projects had reached 100 per cent completion but said construction was progressing well, with the remaining work expected to be completed on schedule.
Zanzibar Commissioner for Sports Ameir Mohamed Makame said the inspection had provided additional motivation to the teams working on the project. He said construction at Fumba had entered the internal finishing stage, involving electrical installations, floor tiling, water supply and drainage systems, alongside the final roofing works. The stadium is one of the three venues that will host matches in Tanzania, alongside the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium under construction in Arusha.
With less than a year remaining before the tournament, attention is increasingly turning to the completion of construction projects, testing of facilities and compliance with CAF's technical requirements. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are scheduled to stage AFCON 2027 from June 19 to July 17. The tournament will bring the continent's premier national team competition back to East Africa for the first time since 1976.
Key points
- CAF expresses confidence in Tanzania's readiness to co-host AFCON 2027.
- Fumba Stadium in Zanzibar nears completion, with 87 per cent of construction work done.
- Tanzania must complete infrastructure projects and meet CAF's technical requirements before AFCON 2027.
