The flag is home. In a historic ceremony in Morocco, CAF President Patrice Motsepe officially handed over the AFCON tournament flag to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The "Pamoja" bid is now a reality. But as the celebrations fade, the hard work begins.

"East Africa is ready," declared FKF President Hussein Mohammed. But is it? With less than 18 months to kickoff, the region faces a race against time to upgrade stadiums, roads, and hotels to meet strict CAF standards. The clock is ticking, and the world is watching.

The Infrastructure Test

Motsepe was full of praise, dismissing fears that the tournament could be moved. "I am confident East Africa will deliver," he said. However, the ghost of 1996—when Kenya lost hosting rights due to unreadiness—looms large.

• Kenya's Big Bet: The renovation of Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums is underway, but the crown jewel is the proposed Talanta Sports City. Can a 60,000-seater stadium be built from scratch in under two years? It is a moonshot.
• Regional Unity: This is the first time three nations will co-host AFCON. Coordinating security, visas, and transport across three borders will be a logistical nightmare.
• The Economic Prize: If successful, AFCON 2027 could inject billions into the regional economy, boosting tourism and branding East Africa as a global sports destination.

No Room for Error

The "chaotic" scenes at the 2025 final in Morocco serve as a warning. Infrastructure is not just about concrete; it is about crowd control, ticketing, and safety. East Africa cannot afford a stampede.

The handover is a moment of pride, but pride does not build stadiums. The government must now cut through the red tape and deliver. If we fail, it won't just be a national embarrassment; it will be a continental betrayal. The ball is in our court.