My people! Big things dey happen for East Africa as Uganda and Tanzania dey prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Dem two countries go co-host dem with Kenya, and e no go funny! But first, dem don enter Morocco AFCON 2025, and this one na serious test for dem.

The two countries don struggle for the field for long, as dem never really show dem selves against big football nations. For this current tournament, Uganda dey face Nigeria, while Tanzania dey meet Tunisia. Both of dem need win sharp-sharp if dem want chance to enter the last 16.

You fit imagine say Uganda don win only one game out of nine for three different AFCON tournaments since dem reach the final back for 1978. Na so e be for Tanzania too, wey dey appear for their fourth Cup of Nations but never taste victory before. Their last match end as 1-1 draw, with Uganda miss late penalty. Chai! Wetin dey happen?

Tanzania coach, Miguel Angel Gamondi, wey just land from Singida Black Stars, don yarn say e get big dreams to change the mentality of the players. Dem dey ranked 112th for FIFA, but e go make dem hustle harder to climb that ladder. E talk say make dem change their mind about football, say na winning mindset dem need to develop.

Omo, according to Gamondi, the league no dey help matters too! Clubs dey allow field up to twelve foreign players, and this one dey squeeze the local talent. E say dem need to create more youth development programs so kids go fit go Europe and shine. Right now, their best player na Ally Samatta, wey dey perform for France.

On the other side, Uganda dey face their own wahala. Dem rank 17th for Africa and 85th for the world, but dem no get enough experience for dem squad. Coach Paul Put dey build a young team with the eye on 2027. Him dey give dem chances to learn fast-fast, no time to waste.

No be only football matter dey ground! Uganda don also open Hoima City Stadium, wey hold 20,000 people! Na big arena wey dem build to prepare for AFCON 2027. President Museveni don talk say this stadium go serve as big investment for the youths, sports tourism, and national pride. E show sey proper infrastructure na key to produce better players.

The stadium cost around $129 million, as Turkish company Summa International Construction Company don carry the project on top dem head. Dem finish am within just 12 months and e dey packed with all the VVIP settings, enough facilities, and even a swimming pool! If no be Nigeria wey be the only big team wey fit rough dem up, dem fit do strong things for this stadium come next AFCON.

The Pamoja initiative, wey mean “together” for Swahili, go help dem plan better as dem share resources, and logistics go dey smooth. But work no dey finish. Dem get big plans but coordinating across three countries no go easy. They better gather their heads well!

As 2027 dey approach, these two nations dey show say dem ready to shine. Dem don set their sights well and good and I dey tell you, East Africa go soon dey on top of African football map! Make we see how e go play out as dem dey approach this tournament wit better strategies and plans!