David GOMBE
The Ugandan Parliament has approved the proposal to give support to the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and the Football Associations of Tanzania to have a joint bid of hosting the 2027 AFCON Finals.
The development was confirmed during Thursday’s plenary sitting.
“Parliament has approved a proposal to support FUFA and the F. A of Tanzania to field a joint bid to CAF to host the AFCON 2027 in East Africa.”Read a tweet by Parliament.
According to FUFA President and Budiope East Member of Parliament Hon.Moses Magogo, it’s the responsibility of the government to provide sporting infrastructure
“It is the duty of the Government of Uganda to provide sporting infrastructure to the youths of Uganda.”
“There wouldn’t be anything wrong in borrowing money to undertake sporting infrastructure after previously borrowing to undertake projects in other sectors like roads and energy, among others.” Said Magogo
On his visit to Uganda last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe revealed that his primary target is to see countries that have never hosted the AFCON to also get a chance to host the continental showpiece.
“My primary focus are those countries that have never hosted the AFCON but they have got exciting potential, young players that love football. There’s potential for resource, they are passionate about hosting the AFCON those are the ones that I am very excited about. We have to use football to develop infrastructure but we have to use football to develop our economies in Africa and make our people look better.”
Motsepe encouraged both Uganda and Tanzania to got ahead with their bid for the 2027 edition
“I would be so proud to accept a formal bid to have AFCON in Uganda but of course it’s a process and there’s a committe that looks after that. I encourage both Uganda and Tanzania since it’s good for tourism, investment, trade and football development.” Said the CAF President while in Uganda.
The major concern for Uganda to host the continental showpiece would be lack of infrastructure specifically Stadiums.
Rehabilitation works at Mandela National Stadium Namboole are ongoing while Buhinga, Masaka Recreation Ground plus Akii Bua are already in plans.
Only Vipers’ St.Mary’s Stadium in Kitende is allowed to host CAF inter-club matches.
For any Nation to host the AFCON, you must have six standard stadia but in case of a joint bid, each country is required to have at least three.
Meanwhile, a total of eighteen (18) countries have hosted the competition, with two editions being co-hosted: 2000 (Ghana and Nigeria) and 2012 (Gabon and Equatorial Guinea).