AFCON 2027: CAF standards leave Philip Omondi Stadium out

The State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, has revealed KCCA Football Club’s management turned down proposals to upgrade Philip Omondi Stadium, which would have allowed it to serve as a training venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Ogwang told the Parliamentary Budget Committee that the stadium was initially shortlisted as one of the potential training grounds for the continental tournament.

However, he explained that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) mandated that only venues with natural grass surfaces could qualify.

Funds have already been released for these sites

“At the first phase of identifying training pitches for AFCON, Philip Omondi Stadium was among those we had selected,” Ogwang said.
“However, CAF guidance made it clear that training facilities must have natural grass to meet tournament standards.”

Despite government efforts, KCCA’s management reportedly declined to allow the necessary upgrades. “We had engagements with KCCA FC management, but they were not ready to allow Philip Omondi Stadium to be upgraded to natural grass,” Ogwang confirmed.

As a result, the government had to redirect resources and approve alternative venues that meet CAF’s requirements.

Funds have already been released for these sites, which include Gulu University, Lira University, Pece Stadium, Kyambogo University, Muteesa II Stadium, Makerere University, and FUFA Kadiba.

Ogwang’s comments underscore the challenges of preparing local infrastructure for major continental tournaments and the need for collaboration between clubs and government to meet international standards.

The State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, has revealed that KCCA Football Club’s management declined proposals to upgrade Philip Omondi Stadium, a decision that ultimately ruled the venue out as a potential training ground for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Ogwang made the disclosure while appearing before the Parliamentary Budget Committee, where he was presenting updates on Uganda’s preparations for the continental showpiece. According to the minister, Philip Omondi Stadium had initially been identified as one of the facilities that could support AFCON teams during the tournament.

CAF standards ruled out Philip Omondi Stadium

At the early planning stage, the government, in collaboration with football authorities, shortlisted several venues that could be upgraded to serve as training sites for visiting national teams.

“At the first phase of identifying training pitches for AFCON, Philip Omondi Stadium was among those we had selected,” Ogwang told the committee.

However, the process hit a major obstacle after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued strict technical guidelines for host nations. One of the key requirements was that all official training venues must have natural grass surfaces, a standard intended to ensure uniform playing conditions and reduce injury risks for players.

“CAF guidance made it clear that training facilities must have natural grass to meet tournament standards,” Ogwang explained.

Philip Omondi Stadium, which currently has an artificial turf, therefore required significant upgrades to comply with CAF regulations.

KCCA FC declined proposed upgrades

According to Ogwang, the government engaged KCCA FC management with proposals to convert the stadium’s playing surface from artificial turf to natural grass. Such an upgrade would have involved excavation, drainage works, turf installation, and long-term maintenance planning.

Despite these discussions, the club reportedly declined to authorize the changes.

“We had engagements with KCCA FC management, but they were not ready to allow Philip Omondi Stadium to be upgraded to natural grass,” Ogwang confirmed.

Philip Omondi Stadium has been ruled out as an AFCON 2027 training venue after KCCA FC declined proposed upgrades, Sports Minister Peter Ogwang has revealed.