Africa-Press – Tanzania. MINISTER for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Paul Makonda has said that securing the opportunity to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opening match requires solid strategies.
He said such strategies include sustained investment in stadium infrastructure. Makonda made the remarks yesterday during a press conference held shortly after inspecting the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, as Tanzania steps up preparations ahead of AFCON 2027.
The inspection tour, which focused on the progress of renovation works at the national arena, saw Makonda accompanied by Deputy Minister Hamis Mwinjuma, Permanent Secretary Gerson Msigwa and Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) president Wallace Karia.
Makonda urged Tanzanians to view AFCON preparations through a wider lens than stadium construction alone, stressing that hosting rights are earned through a blend of planning, positioning and preparedness.
“Everything requires strategy. Being the opening host is not only about stadium infrastructure readiness,” said Makonda.
He noted that Tanzania is fortunate to be strategically located but must also demonstrate, through action and organisation, that it meets the criteria and deserves to host the opening match of AFCON 2027. Makonda highlighted several factors that, in his view, give Tanzania an edge over neighbouring countries also vying to host the opening fixture.
These include political stability, the growing quality of the domestic league within the East African region and the wide influence of Kiswahili as a national language.
He added that Tanzania is geographically well placed and benefits from hotel readiness and service delivery capacity, key components in hosting a major continental tournament. Makonda acknowledged that every co-hosting nation naturally believes it deserves the honour of staging the opening match, noting that no country would openly disqualify itself from contention.
“Tanzania has several advantages, including political stability, infrastructure readiness, historical and geographical strength and the influence of the Kiswahili language, which support our case to host a major sporting event in Africa,” he said.
“Everyone believes they are worthy. You cannot expect me to say I am not worthy. Tanzania is worthy and that is why we fought for the independence of many countries, that is why Kiswahili is spoken in many parts of the world, and that is why our country stands eligible among the nations jointly hosting AFCON 2027,” Makonda added.
He also called on all stakeholders to plan strategically and work collectively to ensure preparations for AFCON are completed on time and delivered on a grand scale befitting the tournament’s stature.
