Mamadou Gaye, a journalist from Côte d’Ivoire, has claimed that Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have no roads suitable to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. He made the statement in a recent interview, saying the three countries lack the infrastructure needed for a smooth tournament.
Gaye pointed to poor road conditions and traffic issues as major problems. His comments have stirred debate online as the joint East African bid, known as Pamoja, prepares to welcome teams and fans.
The Pamoja bid won the hosting rights in September 2023. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania beat other contenders like Algeria and Morocco. CAF praised the plan for three venues in each country.
Kasarani in Nairobi, Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, and Benjamin Mkapa in Dar es Salaam will host matches. Renovations started soon after. Governments promised upgrades to stadiums, hotels, and transport links.
Gaye’s criticism focuses on roads. He said fans traveling between cities or to venues would face long delays on bad surfaces. In Kenya, sections of the Northern Corridor from Mombasa to Nairobi have potholes despite repairs.
Uganda’s roads to Entebbe airport get congested. Tanzania’s links to Dar es Salaam improve but remain slow in rain. Gaye argued these issues could hurt the tournament image.
East African officials pushed back. Kenya’s Sports Ministry said road projects are on track. The Nairobi Expressway and Thika Superhighway ease city traffic. Uganda highlighted new highways around Kampala.
Tanzania pointed to the Dar es Salaam bus rapid transit. A joint committee coordinates the bid. They meet regularly to check progress. CAF inspectors visited last year and gave positive notes on plans.
Fans have mixed views. Some in Kenya agree roads need more work. “From JKIA to town takes hours in jam,” one post said.
Others defend the bid. “We hosted CHAN fine. AFCON will be better,” another wrote. Ugandans and Tanzanians share similar thoughts. Pride in the joint host grows, but practical worries linger.
The 2027 AFCON will be the first with three hosts. It expands to 24 teams. More matches mean more travel. Good roads matter for players, officials, and supporters. Flights between countries help, but ground transport counts too. Organizers plan shuttles and special lanes.
Gaye spoke as Ivory Coast prepares to defend the title they won in 2023. His country hosted successfully despite some venue delays. He said East Africa should learn from that. “Roads must be ready or fans suffer,” he added.
They focus on timelines. Stadium work advances in all three nations. Hotels book up early. Tourism boards promote packages.
This claim highlights real challenges. East Africa invests billions in infrastructure. Chinese-funded projects build highways. But completion varies. Rainy seasons expose weak spots. Urban growth adds pressure.
Supporters say the bid unites the region. Joint hosting shares costs and excitement. Critics like Gaye want higher standards. CAF sets guidelines on facilities. Inspections continue until 2027.
The tournament kicks off in about 18 months. Preparations speed up. Roads remain a key watch area. Fans hope for smooth travel when the whistle blows.
Gaye’s words spark needed talk. Improvements benefit daily life beyond football. East Africans drive those roads every day. For now, the bid moves forward. Unity stays the message. Challenges get addressed one step at a time.
