Wayne Lumbasi
The Confederation of African Football CAF has officially handed over the Africa Cup of Nations flag to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, marking a major milestone on the road to the 2027 AFCON. The symbolic ceremony took place on Sunday, 18 January 2026, immediately after the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco.
The handover signals the formal transition of hosting responsibilities to the three East African nations and launches the final phase of preparations for Africa’s biggest football event. It is a moment of pride not only for the host countries but for the entire East African region, which will stage the tournament for the first time in more than five decades.
AFCON 2027 will be historic in several ways. It will be the first Africa Cup of Nations ever co-hosted by three countries, and the first time the tournament is held in East Africa since 1976. Under the joint “Pamoja” bid, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania pledged unity, shared infrastructure development and regional cooperation, a vision that CAF has consistently praised.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who presided over the ceremony, expressed confidence in the hosts’ ability to deliver a successful tournament. He noted that the flag handover represents CAF’s trust in the region’s commitment, capacity and passion for football. Motsepe also emphasized that AFCON 2027 should leave a lasting legacy beyond football, including improved infrastructure, tourism growth and stronger regional integration.
Officials from the three host nations described the moment as the start of a new chapter. Sports and football leaders highlighted lessons learned from hosting continental competitions such as the African Nations Championship, saying those experiences have strengthened planning, coordination and technical readiness ahead of 2027.
Preparations are already gathering pace across the region. Kenya is upgrading key venues including Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums while advancing work on Talanta Sports City. Uganda is pushing ahead with Hoima City Stadium and transport improvements, while Tanzania continues to invest in modern facilities and training venues. CAF inspection teams are expected to maintain close oversight to ensure all requirements are met on time.
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