As East Africa prepares to welcome Africa’s football elite in 2027, former Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango believes the tournament represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the region both on and off the pitch.
The celebrated goalkeeper has challenged Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to use the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations as a springboard for long-term development, insisting that the benefits of hosting the continental showpiece must extend far beyond football.
With one year remaining before the tournament kicks off, attention is increasingly turning to the lasting impact AFCON 2027 could have on infrastructure, talent development and regional cooperation.
For Onyango, the event arrives at the perfect moment following the successful staging of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), which demonstrated East Africa’s growing ability to host major international competitions.
“The CHAN tournament showed that East Africa is capable of organizing events at the highest level. AFCON now gives us the chance to build on that success and leave a legacy that future generations will be proud of,” Onyango said.
Rather than focusing solely on the competition itself, the former African-based Player of the Year nominee believes AFCON 2027 should be viewed as an investment in the future of football across the region.
“We should see AFCON as more than a football tournament. It is an opportunity to create better facilities, improve youth development and open doors for talented players to reach bigger stages around the world,” he explained.
The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper noted that improved stadiums, training grounds and sports infrastructure could reshape the sporting landscape in Uganda and neighbouring countries for decades.
“When the final whistle is blown in 2027, the most important thing should be what remains behind. Better facilities will help players, coaches and communities long after the tournament is over,” Onyango added.
He also highlighted the economic opportunities that accompany a competition of AFCON’s magnitude, saying local businesses, the tourism sector and transport networks stand to gain significantly from the influx of visitors.
“Thousands of people will travel to East Africa for the tournament. This is our chance to showcase our culture, our hospitality and our tourist attractions while creating business opportunities for local communities,” he said.
Onyango further stressed that the joint hosting arrangement between Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania offers a unique platform to strengthen regional integration.
“The partnership between the three countries is one of the most exciting aspects of this tournament. Working together on such a major event will strengthen relationships and improve connectivity across the region,” he noted.
With the historic tournament drawing closer, Onyango has called on all stakeholders to ensure East Africa delivers an AFCON worthy of its significance.
“This is a moment that comes once in a lifetime. We must set new standards and show Africa what East Africa can achieve when we work together. The goal should be for people to remember AFCON 2027 as one of the greatest tournaments ever hosted on the continent,” Onyango concluded.
The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2027 will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, with the tournament scheduled to run from June 19 to July 27, 2027.
