African football boss Patrice Motsepe has called for a “heightened sense of urgency” from next year’s Africa Cup of Nations co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The tournament is set to return to East Africa for the first time in 51 years, with the opening match kicking off on 19 June and the final scheduled for 17 July.
Stadiums are supposed to be ready for testing in around three months’ time, and Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Motsepe says there is little room for delay.
“Even though we’ve got nine months, we need to start using those stadiums in January next year to test them and to see what further improvements are required,” he told BBC Sport Africa after inspecting preparations in Kenya on Friday.
Motsepe said there had been “very good progress” while also acknowledging that some facilities were still below the required level.
“We’ve got very high standards in terms of our expectations of the infrastructure, the facilities and the stadiums, the hotels, the roads, the football pitches where training takes place,” the South African added.
“We require those facilities to be world class.”
Despite delays in certain areas, Motsepe insisted: “There isn’t the slightest consideration of a postponement.
“There should be no need because there’s a deep amount of commitment.”
Motsepe began his inspection visit for Afcon 2027 in Tanzania before touring Kenya, where he inspected two venues in Nairobi: Kasarani Stadium and the newly constructed 60,000-capacity Talanta Stadium.
BBC Sport Africa understands that one of the main areas of concern in Kenya is the Kasarani and its corresponding training facility.
The stadium is set to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, which Nairobi was awarded on Tuesday ahead of London and Rome.
When Caf conducted its previous inspection in mid-February, the local organisers were told that stadiums and their associated training facilities should be around 80% ready by August.
However, Kasarani has seen limited progress over the past seven months, with several areas still requiring attention.
One of the biggest challenges is the playing surface, which is yet to be laid. Work is also required on cabling for broadcast and television operations, floodlights and the stadiums’ sky boxes.
Motsepe also pointed to the demands created by hosting hundreds of VIPs and heads of state, saying some stadium designs will need to be reconfigured.
“Security issues in relation to where the special guests, particularly the heads of state, will be seated requires a revision of the original plans,” the 64-year-old explained.
Kenya’s cabinet secretary for sports Salim Mvurya insisted preparations would be completed on time.
“I assure Caf and Kenyans we will accelerate the preparations for Afcon 2027,” Mvurya said.
“We will conclude everything by December to be sure we can have test matches in the various facilities.”
Despite previous delays to tournaments and concerns over preparations in East Africa, Motsepe has made it clear the Afcon 2027 timetable will not be reconsidered.
“There’s no plan B, there’s no plan C,” he said.
For Kenya, getting it right this time matters more because Afcon has become part of a bigger sporting project.
“One of the reasons why Kenya won the 2029 World Athletics Championship bid is because we are hosting Afcon. Therefore this is a legacy,” Mvurya said.
“Sport is not just entertainment, it is livelihood, it is economic transformation.
“Therefore we are aware the opportunity to host Afcon will be key for our economic inspiration. Our tourism will be a big beneficiary.
“As government, we are confident we will host a successful Afcon.”
The next three months are likely to be particularly crucial in making that promise a reality.
