While heavy rains have lashed North Africa this week, the football pitches hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco have remained pristine carpets of green. It is not magic; it is world-class engineering, and it offers a harsh lesson for Kenya’s own stadium ambitions.

As the tournament enters the quarter-finals, not a single match has been delayed by waterlogging. This success is down to Morocco’s heavy investment in advanced drainage systems and hybrid turf technology, positioning the kingdom as a serious contender for future World Cup bids.

The Tech Behind the Turf

Morocco’s nine venues utilize a sophisticated sub-air system similar to those used in the English Premier League. This technology can vacuum moisture out of the soil within minutes or pump air into the roots to prevent rot.

• Drainage: The pitches are built on layers of gravel and sand with integrated piping that channels water away instantly. Even during a deluge, the surface remains playable.
• Hybrid Grass: A mix of natural grass and synthetic fibers ensures the pitch doesn't tear up under the studs of heavyweights like Victor Osimhen or Mohamed Salah.
• The Comparison: The contrast with East African stadiums—often termed "potato patches" after a drizzle—is stark. Morocco has shown that infrastructure is about what lies under the grass, not just the stands around it.

A Blueprint for Pamoja 2027?

As Kenya prepares to co-host AFCON 2027, the Moroccan standard is the benchmark. Building stadiums is easy; building pitches that survive the weather is the real test of readiness.