CAN 2027: Senegal announces its candidacy to host the competition

Spectators and media gather at the inauguration of the Abdoulaye-Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal, on February 22, 2022. © AFP / SEYLLOU

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After its first African champion title won in February 2022 and following a more or less honorable participation in the 2022 World Cup until the round of 16, Senegal continues to display its ambitions.

The Minister of Sports announced this Wednesday, December 7 the country's candidacy for the organization of the 2027 African Cup of Nations football.

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With our correspondent in Dakar, 

The Lions of Teranga are not satisfied.

Having just returned from the World Cup in Qatar, where the Senegalese selection climbed to the round of 16 after a good run cut short by their defeat against England (0-3) on Sunday December 3, Senegal is showing clearly its sporting ambitions for the years to come.

Already crowned African champions at the 2022 African Cup of Nations after their triumph in the final against Egypt at the start of the year, the country now intends to impose itself on the organizational level.

During the examination of the 2023 budget of the Ministry of Sports by the Senegalese National Assembly this Wednesday, December 7, the Minister of Sports Yankhoba Diatara announced that the country would officially position itself as a candidate for the organization of the Coupe d africa of football nations 2027.

Many infrastructures to renovate

But for Senegal's application to stand up and be seriously considered, the country will have to undertake major work to bring it up to standard in order to be authorized to host the competition.

According to the specifications drawn up by the Confederation of African Football, the candidate countries must have at least 6 to 8 stadiums meeting specific criteria in terms of reception capacity, quality of the pitch, changing rooms, lighting... But for the time being, Senegal has only two enclosures that meet these standards: the Abdoulaye-Wade stadium in Diamniadio, inaugurated in February 2022, and the Lat-Dior stadium in Thiès.

The Ministry of Sports is planning to build a new stadium in Saint-Louis, a city located in the north of the country.

It is also planned to undertake the renovation of the Aline-Sitoe-Diatta stadium in Ziguinchor, the Lamine Guèye stadium in Kaolack and the Ely Manel Fall stadium in Diourbel.

Rehabilitation work on the emblematic Léopold-Sédar-Senghor stadium in Dakar, impracticable for several years, has already begun.

In its history, Senegal has only organized the African Cup of Nations football once, in 1992.

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