A learning mission in the wake of a dramatic finale
As the dust settled on a Morocco tournament that ended with Senegal lifting the trophy after a 1–0 win, Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed returned from a benchmarking tour with a notebook full of ideas. With Kenya set to co‑host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania after the successful PAMOJA bid, Mohammed says the lessons from Morocco are already shaping the country’s game plan.
Morocco raised the bar
Mohammed was blunt about what stood out: uncompromising standards. “There is no compromise in terms of quality, organization and commitment to achieve success,” he told FKF Media, praising Morocco for setting a new benchmark in tournament delivery. For a nation preparing to stage Africa’s biggest football festival, that standard is now the target.
Praise for CAF leadership
The FKF boss also singled out the Confederation of African Football for steering the Morocco edition to success. He lauded CAF president Patrick Motsepe and Secretary General Veron Mosengo‑Omba, saying their leadership and the secretariat’s work impressed him and offered a model Kenya can learn from as it prepares to host.
Transport and logistics as a game‑changer
One of the clearest takeaways was Morocco’s transport operation. Teams, officials and media enjoyed seamless access to venues and workstations, while fans moved to stadiums with minimal fuss. Mohammed highlighted this as a critical area for Kenya to emulate if it wants AFCON 2027 to run smoothly.
Nairobi’s traffic challenge and a bold response
Confident that solutions are on the way, Mohammed pointed to government plans to tackle Nairobi’s congestion ahead of the tournament. Authorities have announced a commuter line linking the Central Business District to Talanta Stadium, with a station planned at Nyayo National Stadium — a move Mohammed believes will ease matchday movement and mirror the efficiency he witnessed in Morocco.
Government backing and a united front
Mohammed praised the growing partnership between FKF and the national government, invoking President Ruto’s pledge to push sports development. “The government has shown commitment to improving infrastructure across the country and not just for sports,” he said, adding that behind‑the‑scenes work is already underway to ensure transport and other systems are ready.
From observation to action
For Mohammed, the Morocco trip was more than a fact‑finding mission — it was a call to action. With clear examples of what works and a roadmap for improvement, Kenya’s preparations for AFCON 2027 are shifting from planning to execution. The message is simple: learn fast, build smart and deliver an African tournament that matches the continent’s growing ambitions.
