The African Football Confederation (CAF) on Thursday
acknowledged having received a declaration of interest from the three countries
along with bids from Algeria, Botswana and Egypt.
The Kenyan government in December approved a cabinet
proposal to back a bid for the biennial tournament, alongside two of its
neighbours.
The government said a successful bid would help the national
football team, Harambee Stars, achieve their target of qualifying for the World
Cup for the first time in 2030.
On Wednesday, Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba said he
had held discussions with his Ugandan and Tanzanian counterparts, adding they
plan to set up a joint bidding and organising committee for the event.
“Our joint bid with Uganda and Tanzania for the AFCON 2027
is a strong one. It is about time the Africa Cup of Nations comes to East
Africa,” Namwamba told reporters.
Poor stadium infrastructure has been a problem for most East
African nations, with national teams forced to play continental matches away
from home.
Kenya has twice won the rights to stage continental
tournament finals, the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 and the African Nations
Championships (CHAN) in 2018, but both times was stripped of hosting rights due
to the lack of internationally-approved stadiums.
Namwamba said Kenya would construct new high-class stadiums
or renovate existing ones to meet international standards.
CAF will name the winning bid in September, along with the new venue for the 2025 tournament after original hosts Guinea were stripped of the right to hold the event last October. AFP