AFCON 2025: Why Are East African Teams So Far Behind Other Nations?
East African teams have historically lagged behind other African nations in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with limited success on the continental stage. Only Ethiopia and Sudan have won the tournament, and that was decades ago, both victories on home soil. The last East African finalist was Uganda in the late 1970s, highlighting a long-standing performance gap.
Despite football being wildly popular across East Africa, the region’s teams remain underrepresented at AFCON. In the 2025 tournament, the only East African match featured Uganda versus Tanzania, marking just the sixth official AFCON clash between East African nations. This comes ahead of East Africa hosting AFCON for the first time since the 1970s with the 2027 tournament shared by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Historical and Cultural Context
East African football has deep roots. The CECAFA Cup, the regional tournament dating back to 1926, is older than AFCON itself. Countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda developed football culture during the colonial period. In the mid-20th century, stadiums in Kampala and Nairobi regularly drew huge crowds, indicating a vibrant footballing tradition.
However, over the decades, East African football did not keep pace with the strides made by West and North African teams. One explanation lies in the region’s sporting identity, which heavily favors long-distance running. East Africans dominate athletics globally, but football often takes a back seat in terms of systematic development and investment.
Challenges Facing East African Football
Several factors hinder East Africa’s football progress. Infrastructure remains a major obstacle, as frequent rains affect pitch quality and limit youth training opportunities. Economically, many parents struggle to support children pursuing football careers, lacking confidence in its viability. This contrasts with nations that have established academies and clearer pathways to professional football abroad.
The region also suffers from weak domestic leagues and limited exposure to high-level competitions. For example, few East African club teams reach advanced stages in Africa’s Champions League, and national teams often exit AFCON early. Tanzania and Uganda have seen recent improvements, yet they still face fierce competition from well-resourced countries.
Cases of Progress and Optimism
Uganda currently stands out among East African countries, with investments in youth academies and stronger domestic leagues. The appointment of experienced coaches with international backgrounds has helped elevate their national team’s performance. Uganda also better taps into its diaspora talent pool, which aids in building a competitive squad.
Tanzania’s domestic league has grown more competitive recently, allowing local players to gain valuable experience. Clubs like Young Africans and Simba are fan-owned, wealthy, and among Africa’s most followed, producing players familiar with continental competitions. Allowing more foreign players in the league has increased quality and challenges local talent to improve.
Kenya is considered an underachiever with a passionate football fanbase but has struggled due to mismanagement and obsession with foreign leagues such as the English Premier League. Reforms in governance and coaching appointments are ongoing to reverse this trend.
Role Models and International Links
Role models like Victor Wanyama and Mbwana Samatta have inspired East African players by reaching prominent European leagues. Players of East African descent are making an impact globally in football, even if they represent other countries internationally. This representation helps raise awareness and motivation among young East African footballers.
Some European clubs have recognized East Africa’s untapped potential, establishing scouting programs headquartered in Nairobi. This facilitates a pipeline for young talent to be developed abroad and eventually compete at higher levels, which could boost the region’s football standards over time.
Looking Ahead to AFCON 2027
East Africa’s upcoming role as a co-host of AFCON may serve as a catalyst for growth. Hosting the tournament offers an opportunity to demonstrate the region’s passion, improve infrastructure, and showcase emerging talent. While qualification and success in the knockout stages are not guaranteed, the event could inspire future investments and create clearer pathways for player development.
Recent continental tournaments specific to home-based players showed encouraging signs, with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda leading their groups. Although they exited early in knockout rounds, such experiences build competitive resilience.
With continued focus on improving youth academies, addressing infrastructure challenges, and strengthening domestic leagues, East Africa has the potential to narrow the gap with other African football powerhouses. While progress may be gradual, the 2027 AFCON represents a pivotal moment for the region’s football ambitions.
Read more at: www.nytimes.com
