AFCON 2027 Delay? CAF Official Luxolo September Shuts Down The Guardian

Kenya was the darling of African football in the early 90s, having been awarded the rights to host the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Stadiums were promised, excitement was peaking, and the Harambee Stars were ready to shine. But then, the political winds shifted.

Legend has it that President Daniel Arap Moi, fearing that a massive footballing success would give too much political capital to the opposition leaders running the football federation, personally wrote a letter to CAF. His message was blunt: Kenya is not ready. The hosting rights were snatched away and handed to South Africa. The "Rainbow Nation" went on to win the trophy in front of Nelson Mandela, while Kenya was slapped with a multi-year ban. Since then, anytime a crane stops moving at a Kenyan construction site, the "Not Ready" ghost begins to whisper again.

Fast forward to February 2026, and those whispers turned into a roar. A report by The Guardian, spearheaded by journalist Ed Aarons, suggested that the 2027 AFCON—a historic joint bid between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda (the "Pamoja" bid)—was on the verge of being pushed back to 2028.

The reason? Familiar skepticism regarding stadium construction speeds in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. But this time, CAF isn't staying silent.

Luxolo September, CAF’s Head of TV and Broadcasting, took to X (formerly Twitter) to shut down the narrative with the subtlety of a sliding tackle. Responding directly to Aarons and a similar post by Soccer Laduma, September delivered a one-word verdict: “You write FICTION.”

While the rumors suggest a delay, the ground reality in East Africa tells a story of frantic activity. Here is where the "Pamoja" bid actually stands as of February 2026:

• Kenya’s Talanta Sports City: The crown jewel of the bid is reportedly 85% complete. It’s an ultra-modern, 60,000-seater stadium being built from scratch, with a projected handover in April 2026.
• The Renovation Race: Iconic venues like Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium have officially been closed this month for final "Morocco-standard" upgrades, including new canopies and VAR-integrated media centers.
• The Tanzania Factor: The Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha is also deep in construction, with a July 2026 completion date.
•  The Calendar Conflict: Part of the rumor stems from CAF’s own plan to move AFCON to a four-year cycle starting in 2028. Critics argued that moving the 2027 edition would make the transition smoother, but CAF insists the 2027 date is "set in stone."

For East Africa, this isn't just about football; it's about breaking a 30-year-old curse of "almost-ready." The CAF Executive Committee is meeting today, Friday, February 13, 2026, in Dar es Salaam. While the agenda includes "logistical reviews," the official line remains firm: the party starts in 2027.

Whether The Guardian has an inside scoop or is simply chasing shadows, the "FICTION" label from CAF suggests that this time, the "Not Ready" ghost might finally be exorcised.