CAF president Patrice Motsepe has described preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as an “emergency” but insists there is no plan to move the tournament away from co-hosts Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Motsepe made the remarks in Dar es Salaam on Thursday during his tour of the three East African countries, which will jointly host the tournament under the theme Pamoja.

With nine months remaining before the tournament, Motsepe acknowledged that some areas of preparation are behind schedule and require urgent attention.

“I have seen improvements since my last visit. The problem is we are nine months away from the AFCON, which is a big emergency,” Motsepe said.

However, he rejected reports suggesting CAF could consider an alternative host, insisting that Pamoja 2027 will go ahead in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

“There is no Plan B, there is no Plan C, there never will be a Plan B, there never will be a Plan C,” he said.

Motsepe also criticised what he described as misinformation and exaggerated reports about the state of preparations, while calling for the media to provide balanced coverage.

“The media must be objective. Criticise us and make sure that they make us aware of our failures and our deficiencies. It’s very important. We need that,” he said.

He added that positive developments should also be reported, saying, “where there’s good work that’s happening in Tanzania, say so.”

CAF will continue monitoring preparations in the three countries, with Motsepe expected to return to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in January for the final assessment ahead of the tournament.

AFCON 2027 is provisionally scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17.