CAN 2027: "Pamoja" project faces pressure with 28-team expansion
via Le Matin2 min read
The Confederation of African Football CAF has increased the pressure on the organizers of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations CAN by validating a 28-team format. This decision comes amid serious concerns within African football bodies regarding the logistical viability of the "Pamoja" joint bid, which was originally designed for a 24-team tournament. The bid, involving Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, is experiencing significant delays in strategic construction projects. In Kenya, the renovation of Kasarani Stadium and the construction of new venues are behind schedule due to budgetary and administrative constraints. Uganda's modernization of Mandela National Stadium in Kampala and the Hoima project are also struggling to meet deadlines. Tanzania appears to be making more encouraging progress, but coordination among sites in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar remains a challenge. The addition of four more teams necessitates more matches, more approved training grounds, increased hotel capacity, and a fully operational cross-border transport network. While CAF President Patrice Motsepe expresses confidence in the East African governments, recent CAF inspection reports indicate a race against time for the host trio. The 28-team format will significantly alter the competition's structure, with a proposed group stage of seven groups of four teams. The top two from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, would advance to the round of 16. This format will increase the numbe
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