Representatives from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are in Morocco to observe the organisation of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as part of preparations for the 2027 edition, which the three countries will jointly host.
A delegation from East African nations designated to stage the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2027 is currently in Morocco on an observation mission conducted during the tournament in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said.
The initiative is intended to familiarise future host countries with the operational and organisational requirements of the continent’s flagship football tournament.
Comprising officials from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the mission forms part of a structured programme of technical visits and on-site observation developed in coordination with CAF and the Moroccan authorities.
As host of the 2025 edition, Morocco is serving as a live case study, exposing the East African delegations to the practical realities of managing a major continental tournament, from venue preparation to match-day operations.
The programme began on Friday, January 9, with a visit to the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, on the sidelines of the AFCON quarter-final between Morocco and Cameroon.
According to CAF, observing a match day enabled participants to gain first-hand insight into critical areas such as stadium management, security coordination, media flow, spectator reception and the overall organisation of the competition.
The mission continued with visits to Al Medina Stadium and the Prince Moulay Hassan Sports Complex, two other venues selected in Rabat for AFCON 2025. These tours provided the delegation with a comprehensive overview of infrastructure readiness, venue operations during competition and the logistical demands associated with hosting teams, officials and spectators simultaneously.
Particular emphasis was also placed on media operations. The East African representatives visited Rabat’s Main Media Centre (MMC), which hosts more than 1,000 accredited journalists and serves as the central hub for press conferences and official activities. CAF noted that this stop highlighted the scale and level of coordination required to deliver international media coverage for a continental event.
Security arrangements were another key component of the programme, with a visit to the African Police Cooperation Centre in Rabat, showcasing the collaborative security mechanisms deployed during the tournament.
The discovery of AFCON fan zones—spaces dedicated to entertainment and public gatherings—rounded out the immersion, as such facilities are now regarded as a core element of the African tournament experience.
MK/AK/Sf/lb/as/APA