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One Year To TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2027 One Of The Hosts’ Star Players Talks Tough
With one year to go until the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027, which Tanzania will co-host alongside Kenya and Uganda, Taifa Stars midfielder Feisal Salum speaks exclusively to CAFOnline.com about his excitement ahead of Africa’s biggest show taking place in East Africa.
From national ambitions and East African rivalries to dreams of memorable nights at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian international looks ahead to what promises to be a historic tournament.
CAFOnline.com: Feisal, Tanzania will co-host the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 alongside Kenya and Uganda. How did you feel when the announcement was made?
Feisal Salum: It was an extraordinary moment for the country and for us as players. It is a huge honour. We want to use this opportunity to show the world what Tanzania is capable of. We want to prove that we can achieve great things. Our goal is to make the nation proud and build on what we showed at the last AFCON.
Playing at home is a major advantage, but there will also be huge expectations. How is the team preparing mentally?
We understand that hosting a tournament of this magnitude naturally comes with enormous pressure. But our approach is to turn pressure into enjoyment. We must use the passion and support around us to push ourselves beyond our limits, go as far as possible, reach the semi-finals and, why not, dream of lifting the trophy.
After your encouraging performances at the last TotalEnergies CAF AFCON in Morocco, what would be a realistic target for 2027?
In Morocco, we surprised many people, but it was our supporters who carried us to those heights. That experience helped us grow. This time, with the tournament at home, we want to aim even higher. Winning the title is in God’s hands. Sometimes destiny chooses another team. But one thing is certain – we will give everything we have.
The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2027 will be played under the banner of “PAMOJA” – Togetherness. Do you feel a special rivalry with Kenya and Uganda, or is it mainly a source of pride to represent East Africa together?
It’s a bit of both. We have always been neighbours and there is a strong bond, especially with Kenya. This unity gives us strength and brings support from governments and people across the region.
But on the pitch, let’s not hide it – the rivalry is real. There is great competition between our nations. If we face Kenya, it will be a huge occasion, a true brotherly battle. But it is a healthy rivalry, one that exists for the love of football and to give supporters a great spectacle.
At the end of the day, we want the whole world to see the beauty of East African football. We will proudly represent our colours with the support of an entire people behind us.
If you could choose one African giant to face and beat at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, who would it be?
(Without hesitation) I would love to face Morocco, Senegal or Côte d’Ivoire. To play against those teams at home in front of our supporters would be magical. They have fantastic players and world-class attackers. Those are the kinds of matches every footballer dreams about.
Do you have a message for African football fans?
AFCON is the pinnacle of football on the continent. By opening our doors to Africa, we want to tell our story and share our culture and hospitality.
This is a unique opportunity for all of us to celebrate together. That is why I encourage our supporters and fans from across the region to come out in large numbers. Not only for the matches, but even for the training sessions. Create a festive atmosphere and show the worldm our joy and unity.
This celebration belongs to all of us, and together, hand in hand, we will make it unforgettable.
Credit: CAF
