Speaking after a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Tanzania on Friday, Motsepe said there were no plans to delay or move the tournament, which is set to return to East Africa for the first time since 1976.

The 2027 PAMOJA AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Motsepe said speculation that CAF intended to withdraw hosting rights from the three countries was entirely false. He added that he remained fully confident in their preparations.

“There was an allegation that I am here to tell Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda that I am taking away AFCON because our three countries are not going to be ready. That is totally unfounded. I said I am enormously confident that we will succeed,” he said.

A notable development from the Executive Committee meeting was CAF’s confirmation that it is exploring the expansion of AFCON from 24 to 28 teams after 2028. Motsepe said the discussions form part of a broader plan to rebrand and strengthen the competition following the decision to stage AFCON every four years. He reiterated CAF’s ambition to develop a calendar that creates more continental football opportunities annually.

Motsepe also reflected on the challenges faced in the build‑up to the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, recalling external pressure to postpone the event. He said CAF resisted those calls and remains committed to ensuring stability around Africa’s flagship tournament.

While praising Morocco for successfully hosting the most recent AFCON, Motsepe expressed disappointment over incidents in the final between Morocco and Senegal. Both nations were sanctioned by CAF’s disciplinary structures. He said the Executive Committee is reviewing aspects of the judicial process to improve consistency and strengthen enforcement.

Addressing questions about CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo‑Omba, who continues in office despite reaching retirement age, Motsepe said the matter is being handled within CAF’s governance framework and in line with the organisation’s statutes.

–SABC/ChannelAfrica–