Kenya, with the support of its neighboring countries Tanzania and Uganda, is making a second attempt to host a major African football championship.
In the past, Kenya had the opportunity to host the 1996 tournament, but the hosting rights were later given to South Africa.
Now, they are eager to try again.
To improve their chances of success, the Kenyan government has taken steps to renovate key stadiums.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba recently announced the closure of Nyayo Stadium, Kasarani International Stadium, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium for these necessary renovations.
Meanwhile, Algeria has decided to withdraw its bid to host either the 2025 or 2027 finals.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) stated that this decision is part of a new strategy to develop football in Algeria.
The FAF expressed its commitment to African football and thanked the African football community for understanding their decision.
“The FAF will now focus its efforts on the reorganisation and revitalisation of football in Algeria, as it reiterates its unwavering commitment to the development of African football.
“On this occasion, the FAF extends its sincere thanks to the great family of African football for the understanding of its decision which in no way signifies a disengagement of Algeria from the king of sport on the continent,” it added in a statement
By withdrawing, Algeria avoids the possibility of a diplomatic conflict with neighboring Morocco, which has been considered a strong favorite to host the 2025 championship.
Algeria and Morocco have had tensions in both political and sporting matters, often using football as a platform for rivalry.
Algeria had previously invested in building new stadiums and improving infrastructure to host the African Nations Championship earlier in the year.
Although this event was a success and strengthened their bid for the larger 24-team Cup of Nations, it seems they fell behind in the behind-the-scenes competition for votes, with Morocco and Senegal emerging as the likely favorites for the 2025 and 2027 hosting rights.
The decision about who will host the 2025 and 2027 finals has been highly anticipated for almost a year.
This comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped Guinea of the right to host the 2025 finals due to inadequate preparations.
The nations in the running for the 2025 finals included Algeria, Morocco, Zambia, and a joint bid from Benin and Nigeria.
For the 2027 tournament, Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Senegal, and a joint bid from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda submitted their bids.
The history of hosting the Cup of Nations in the last decade has been filled with changes and adjustments.
South Africa, for example, stepped in to replace Libya in 2013 due to the war-torn situation in Libya.
Guinea was awarded the hosting rights for the 2023 finals in 2014, alongside Cameroon for 2019 and Ivory Coast for 2021.
However, Cameroon wasn’t ready for the 2019 finals, so Egypt hosted them instead. Cameroon eventually hosted the 2021 edition, delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ivory Coast was initially set to host the 2023 event in June but has been postponed by six months due to concerns about the rainy season in West Africa.
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