Ivorian journalist Mamadou Gaye has sparked a heated debate after questioning East Africa’s suitability to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), prompting a strong defense from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Gaye, during a pre-AFCON 2025 press conference, openly cast doubt on the ability of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to successfully organize the prestigious tournament, citing concerns about inadequate infrastructure, particularly road networks.
Gaye’s controversial comments centered around the region’s lack of proper roads, claiming that travel between countries in East Africa could take up to two days. “The next one (AFCON) is heading to three East African countries, where I already have been. No roads within the countries. Some of my colleagues from East Africa told me from one country to another one will take you two days to drive,” Gaye said. His remarks further raised concerns about the potential impact on the competition’s standards, asking if hosting the tournament in East Africa might lower the event’s quality.
The journalist also referenced the loss of Guinea’s hosting rights for the 2025 tournament due to infrastructure issues, questioning whether the same could happen to East Africa. “In this 24-nation AFCON, I think in Africa maybe four or five countries have proper infrastructure to host it. Is there any possibility that it will be taken away from those three countries or postponed again?” Gaye asked.
His comments quickly attracted backlash from African football fans and commentators, many accusing him of undermining the region’s development efforts and disrespecting East African nations. One X user, Paul Mwirigi Muriungi, responded, saying, “It’s not disrespect; it’s the truth. Try moving around East Africa by road and you’ll understand. We reap what our leaders have sown. Let’s not try and argue this one out. As for flights, they’re very expensive.”
In response, CAF President Patrice Motsepe strongly dismissed the idea of stripping East Africa of its hosting rights, reaffirming his belief in the region’s capability. “We are not going to take the competition away from these countries,” Motsepe said, stressing that his mission is to develop football across the entire continent, not just in nations with advanced infrastructure.
Motsepe highlighted that football development cannot be restricted to well-resourced countries alone, stating, “I have a duty to develop football all over Africa. I can’t have competitions only in countries where there is infrastructure. We have to create the opportunity for the other countries to build infrastructure to the World Cup level.”
Motsepe expressed confidence in the success of the 2027 AFCON in East Africa, noting that hosting major tournaments always involves logistical and infrastructural challenges. He pointed to the World Cup in Qatar, which faced its own set of challenges, and predicted similar obstacles in the upcoming tournaments in Canada, the US, and Mexico. “We are going now to Canada, the US, and Mexico, there will be challenges as well,” he said.
Motsepe also reflected on the success of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in East Africa, despite initial concerns about the region’s readiness. He stated that the decision to hold CHAN in East Africa was a deliberate effort to help the region improve its infrastructure and prepare for a successful AFCON in 2027.
