A high-level meeting involving the Confederation of African Football (CAF), sports ministers, football administrators and local organising officials from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda has reaffirmed a united commitment to successfully deliver the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The strategic “PAMOJA” AFCON 2027 kick-off meeting, held in Kampala on April 23, brought together key stakeholders from the three host nations to review progress and align plans for the continental tournament.

CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu praised the host countries for the strides made so far, while reiterating CAF’s full backing for the joint bid. He stressed the need for strong coordination, disciplined execution and a unified regional approach to ensure a successful tournament.

The three nations also expressed appreciation to CAF President Patrice Motsepe for his continued support, technical guidance and confidence in the historic tri-nation hosting arrangement.

A central part of the meeting was a comprehensive review of preparations, with particular attention to infrastructure, security, hospitality, media readiness and governance.

Officials outlined ongoing work across the three countries, including the construction and upgrading of stadiums, training facilities, transport systems, airports and accommodation. The ministers reaffirmed their governments’ commitment to meeting CAF standards, with August 2026 set as a key milestone for assessing readiness.

Beyond infrastructure, the hosts pledged to position East Africa as a premier destination for football fans. Plans are underway to ensure high standards in hotel services, healthcare, transport efficiency and security, while showcasing the region’s hospitality.

The tournament is also being framed as a catalyst for tourism growth, trade expansion and broader economic development across the region.

The meeting agreed on a coordinated governance structure for the Local Organising Committees, designed to ensure efficiency and accountability. The framework will include CAF representatives, government ministers, football federation presidents and LOC chairpersons.

To ease movement during the tournament, the three countries are working toward a unified “PAMOJA Visa” system. The initiative aims to simplify travel for fans, teams, officials and media through visa exemptions, expedited processes and harmonised immigration procedures.

The ministers also committed to regular high-level and technical meetings, backed by structured progress reporting, to track implementation and address emerging challenges.

Signed by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Uganda’s Minister Peter Ogwang, and Tanzania’s Minister Paul Makonda, the communiqué underscored a shared determination to deliver a “successful, memorable and transformational” tournament.

Under the banner of PAMOJA—Swahili for “together”—Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda aim to stage a historic edition of AFCON that symbolises African unity, regional cooperation and the power of football to drive development.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Three Senegalese supporters have been released from a Moroccan prison after serving three-month sentences for their involvement in the violence that marred the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.

An AFP journalist reported that the trio were freed on Saturday from Al Arjat 2 prison, located northeast of Rabat. They were transported in a gendarmerie vehicle to a police station near Salé, where formalities for their release were completed.

The supporters were later received by officials of the Senegalese embassy, with one of them expressing gratitude in Moroccan dialect, saying, “Dima Maroc, dima Maghrib” (long live Morocco), as they emerged smiling from custody.

However, the case is far from over for other fans involved in the incident. Fifteen additional Senegalese supporters remain in detention, serving sentences ranging from six months to one year. Their convictions were upheld on appeal earlier this week.

The group had been prosecuted on charges of hooliganism, including acts of violence—particularly against law enforcement—damage to stadium property, pitch invasion, and throwing of projectiles during the ill-tempered final held on January 18.

A French national of Algerian origin, also implicated in the disturbances for throwing a water bottle, was similarly released after completing a three-month sentence.

The chaos stemmed from a controversial climax to the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat. The referee awarded a late penalty to Morocco shortly after disallowing a Senegalese goal, triggering protests from Senegal’s players and outrage among their supporters.

The situation escalated when some Senegalese fans attempted to invade the pitch and hurled objects, forcing a temporary halt to proceedings. Order was eventually restored, and the match resumed, with Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missing the decisive penalty.

Senegal went on to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time through Pape Gueye, seemingly clinching the continental title on the pitch.

However, the controversy extended beyond the final whistle. On March 17, the Confederation of African Football awarded the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco by forfeit, citing the disturbances and subsequent disciplinary considerations.

Senegal has since challenged the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle over the tournament’s outcome.

The release of the three supporters marks a significant development in the aftermath of one of the most contentious finals in recent African football history, even as tensions over the disputed title continue to reverberate across the continent.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe would welcome an investigation into corruption at the organisation, saying they have nothing to hide following a meeting with Senegalese officials in ​Dakar on Wednesday.

Senegal’s government last month demanded an investigation into corruption after the ‌country was stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title by the CAF Appeal Board, and the trophy was awarded to the final opponents, Morocco.

It follows unruly scenes in the January 18 decider in Rabat that ​Senegal won 1-0, but during which they left the field for several minutes in ​protest at a late refereeing decision.

Motsepe met with officials from the Senegalese Football ⁠Federation and Senegal president Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Wednesday, where he urged unity following ​the fallout from the final. He will be in Morocco on Thursday for a similar set ​of meetings.

“I would welcome any investigation into corruption at CAF, be it by a government or any institution,” Motsepe told reporters. “In fact, I would encourage it. We will give them our full cooperation.

“I have been told ​there were problems in the past and we intervened. It is not just in football, ​but in business and politics too. We cannot give our children the perception that if you want to ‌succeed ⁠in life, be corrupt. There has to be zero tolerance (for corruption).

“That’s the best gift we can give football in Africa. Not just talking about corruption, but intervene, put the necessary laws in place) and implement them.”

Motsepe would not be drawn on the matter between Senegal and Morocco, which ​is now before the Court of ⁠Arbitration for Sport.

“There is nothing I can tell you that I haven’t said already 10, 15, 20 times. You can ask me the ​same question 100 times, I’ll give you the same answer 100 times. ​I have ⁠an obligation to respect that the matter is now in front of the highest (sports) court in the world.”

Motsepe quashed any suggestion that Morocco had been treated favourably in the appeal process.

“Under no circumstances ⁠will ​any single country in Africa be treated more preferentially ​or more favourably than any other. That will never happen,” he said.

“We are confident we will come out of these ​challenges more united amongst the 54 nations in Africa.”

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H