African football is going through another turbulent phase. Less than 24 hours after a Confederation of African Football inspection mission in Kenya, a corruption scandal has erupted, casting a shadow over the preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
A Kenyan federation shaken by scandal
Kenya, a co-host of AFCON 2027, is facing serious allegations. In an official statement, several members of the Kenyan federation’s executive committee announced the dismissal of their president, Hussein Rashid Mohammed, along with several officials, including Abdullahi Yussuf Ibrahim and Dennis Gicheru. These decisions come amid suspicions of embezzlement involving an estimated 42 million Kenyan shillings.
The accusations include irregularities in public contract awards and conflicts of interest. Additionally, a statement from the international football association highlights the repeated exclusion of certain executive committee members, raising concerns about governance and transparency within the organization.
Repercussions for the organization of AFCON 2027
The inspection mission led by CAF, under the guidance of interim secretary general Samson Adamu, had already noted significant delays in infrastructure development. This new scandal intensifies the uncertainties.
As an independent audit is underway, the possibility of questioning the organization of the tournament is starting to emerge. A final decision could come in the next few months, possibly before summer.
