High ranking officials from Uganda and Tanzania, as well as their FA bosses (Moses Magogo – Uganda, Wallace Karia – Tanzania) were present.

To win the bid, Kenya beat stiff competition from reigning African champions Senegal, a joint bid by Nigeria and Benin as well as Botswana. Algeria had also shown interest in bidding for the showpiece, but pulled out a day before the EXCO made its decision.

“We are excited that the AFCON will go to East Africa. They presented a very beautiful bid and we will walk with them, holding their hands and guiding them as well as constantly assessing the progress they are making,” CAF boss Motsepe said as he announced the decision.

He also added that government assurances especially from the heads of state of the three nations; William Ruto of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania was very key in swinging the vote to East Africa.

“We saw very good bids from all the other countries. Senegal gave a very brilliant bid as well as Nigeria and Benin and we are happy with how much Africa has grown in terms of infrastructure and interest in football,” Motsepe said

By Fred Odanga.