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Kenyans react angrily to veteran Ivorian journalist’s ‘no roads’ claim ahead of 2027 Afcon
An aerial view of a section of the Nairobi Expressway and the under-construction Talanta Sports City Stadium in Nairobi, which will be one of the venues of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
What you need to know:
- The 2025 Afcon has been described as one of the most successful owing to Morocco’s superb infrastructure.
- Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host the 36th edition of the tournament from June 19 to July 18 in 2027.
Kenyans online have reacted angrily to veteran Ivorian journalist Mamadou Gaye's questioning of the state of road infrastructure in East Africa, and whether the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are reconsidering moving the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.
“Now the next one (Afcon) is going to three East African countries, where I have already been. No roads within the countries, some of my colleagues told me from one country to another, it would take you two days to drive. My biggest worry is that we are not going to lower the standard by going to East Africa, or what is the solution forward?” Mamadou posed during a press conference in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday.
Talanta Sports City Stadium under construction in Nairobi on November 14, 2025.
In his response, CAF president Patrice Motsepe said: “… I have a duty to develop football all over Africa. I can’t have the competition only in those four countries where you’ve got the infrastructure. You have to create opportunities for other countries to build infrastructure at the World Cup level and develop football in those countries as well. I’m confident that the Afcon in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will be enormously successful…”
Kenyans were decidedly not amused with the question and forcefully expressed their displeasure online.
“Your remarks on East Africa were not just careless; they were also lazy, condescending, and historically tone-deaf. You spoke as though infrastructure is a slogan rather than a lived reality. You reduced three sovereign nations to ‘villages’ yet you have walked their roads, slept in their hotels, and flown through their airports more than once. You are a very insincere African! The last time you were here, during the CAF CHAN Championships, how many days did it take you from Nyayo National Stadium or Kasarani to your hotel, the Kempinski or JW Marriott? Minutes, not days. You saw and experienced convenience, not the chaos you are alluding to in this video clip,” said Ustadh Okello Kimathi in a long Facebook post where he tagged Mamadou.
“Imagine an Ivorian speaking ill of East Africa? Ivory Coast of all the countries?’ Asher Omondi posted on the same platform.
“Mamadou Gaye shows why Francophone Africa are still lapdogs of France. Does his own country which still struggles with governance compare to Kenya? His own countrymen are playing professional soccer in Tanzania, some are in Kenya doing all kinds of jobs to make ends meet. He wants to worship his Arab masters,” Frère Jules Weston posted on Facebook.
However, some people online were more reflective.
“Obviously, we have roads, but there’s a point to be made here. Even if we say we’ll be ready by 2027, it’s hard to imagine we’re truly ready for a major sporting event given the current state of our overall infrastructure. Look at mass transportation, security, emergency services, and so on. Hopefully, we can show the world that we’re at least close to becoming a world-class city for hosting major sporting events. And maybe one day we’ll meet the criteria to host events like F1,” said Plotwise on the same platform.
A section of an elevated expressway in Nairobi metropolis.
On X, Mamadou describes himself as a “Soccer Africa Analyst and West Africa Football consultant”.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host the 36th edition of Africa's premier football tournament from June 19 to July 18 in 2027. The 2027 Afcon will be the fifth edition of the Afcon since it was expanded into a 24-team tournament.
It will also be the first time in history that the three countries host the prestigious continental showpiece.
The 2025 Afcon has been described as one of the most successful owing to Morocco’s superb infrastructure that includes world-class stadiums and road network, and impeccable organisation.
Morocco will co-host the 2030 Fifa World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
