The Confederation of African Football has begun exploring contingency plans for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations amid mounting fears that co-hosts Kenya and Uganda will fail to meet crucial infrastructure deadlines. Although scheduled alongside Tanzania for June 2027, slow stadium works have forced the governing body to sound out potential backups.
The South African legend has thrust himself into the spotlight for grim reasons after overseeing what is now the worst result of his coaching career. The humbling defeat to the Teranga Lions has intensified scrutiny on him and left the former FC Porto forward facing a massive task of managing and repairing a dented reputation. Also pressing is the need to regain the trust of the Kenyan football public.
The Bafana Bafana legend has been Harambee Stars coach since March 2025 and his biggest task is building a squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals to be co-hosted by three East African countries. This is his first-ever job as a national team coach and he would want to make a huge impact.
The group stages of CAF World Cup qualifying wrapped on Tuesday with Match Day 10 across the continent. The nine group winners have booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in North America, while the four best second-place sides enter a playoff to determine the nation that will represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.
Harambee Stars only managed a slim win, even though, they faced a side numerically disadvantaged for the better part of the game. Burundi had to face Kenya without their striker, who was sent off just as the game began for a dangerous tackle on his opponent.
Diamond Harbour
