South Africa’s head coach, Molefi Ntseki, has applauded Uganda’s outstanding organisation and top-tier facilities at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, calling them a clear sign of Uganda’s readiness to co-host AFCON 2027.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Sunday at Mandela National Stadium ahead of South Africa’s crucial Group C clash against Guinea, Ntseki lauded the warm welcome, accommodation, and high-quality playing and training conditions.
“We received a warm welcome when we arrived in Uganda. Not only the reception but the hotels, food, the playing pitch, and the training facility are all conducive. I have travelled the world, and what I have seen here is almost the same level, and what I’ve seen here is impressive,” Ntseki told journalists.
“This shows that East Africa is ready for AFCON 2027 and also that the level of football is growing,” he added.
CHAN 2024 — taking place across venues in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania — is more than just a tournament for domestic-based African players. It serves as a curtain raiser for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, which these East African nations will co-host. The competition is under close scrutiny by CAF and football stakeholders keen to assess East Africa’s ability to deliver one of the continent’s biggest sporting spectacles.
For Ntseki, a seasoned international coach and former player, Uganda’s seamless logistics, modern training facilities, and quality pitches demonstrate a broader growth in African football infrastructure and professionalism.
As South Africa prepares to face Guinea in a pivotal Group C match, Ntseki’s positive remarks not only endorse Uganda’s hosting capabilities but also reflect the upward trajectory of football development across the continent.