The proposal is expected to be discussed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee when it meets in Dar es Salaam on Friday. The meeting will also address uncertainty over Morocco’s potential withdrawal as host of the upcoming Women’s Afcon, scheduled for March.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe announced in December that the competition would shift from a biennial to a quadrennial format from 2028, with the 2027 tournament originally set to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Under the plan, the 2029 edition would be brought forward to 2028.
However, sources within CAF’s executive committee say there are serious doubts about the three East African nations’ infrastructure and capacity to manage a major tournament across 10 cities. Last year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN), hosted by the trio, reportedly faced challenges related to ticketing and stadium security. Concerns also include scheduling difficulties in the international calendar, especially with up to 10 African teams expected at this summer’s World Cup, which could complicate qualification timelines.
Should the postponement be approved, CAF would likely scrap the 2028 tournament, which Ethiopia had indicated it wanted to bid for, alongside a potential South Africa-Botswana bid. This would clear the way for CAF’s planned African Nations League, expected to debut in 2029 and intended to replace both Afcon and CHAN as CAF’s primary revenue generator.
Motsepe has repeatedly defended the East African hosting plan, insisting the 2027 tournament would proceed. “I have a duty to develop football all over Africa,” he said. “I can’t have competitions only in those four countries where you’ve got the infrastructure… I’m confident that the Afcon in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will be enormously successful.”
The Women’s Afcon remains uncertain after South Africa expressed readiness to step in if Morocco withdraws. Neither the Moroccan football federation nor CAF has officially confirmed a change of venue, but a decision is expected at the executive committee meeting.
The agenda is also expected to include questions over CAF’s general secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba, who has reportedly reached the statutory retirement age under CAF regulations but remains in office, a matter likely to be raised by at least one executive committee member.