Dar es Salaam. Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has called on East Africans to embrace the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a historic opportunity to showcase the region to the world, attract investment and create opportunities for young people.
Drogba, who is in Tanzania to promote the continental tournament, expressed excitement over East Africa’s preparations to host the competition for the first time, describing the occasion as an opportunity that extends beyond football.
Tanzania will co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Uganda, bringing together Africa’s leading national teams and supporters in a tournament expected to attract international attention.
The former Ivory Coast captain’s message comes as the three countries prepare to stage one of the continent’s biggest sporting events, with expectations that the competition will boost tourism, stimulate business and strengthen the region’s international profile. For Tanzania, the tournament presents an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to organise major international sporting events while showcasing its tourism attractions, hospitality industry and investment potential. Drogba’s emphasis on opportunities beyond the pitch also highlights the wider economic benefits that can emerge from hosting a competition of this scale.
The challenge, however, will be ensuring that these opportunities translate into lasting benefits for local communities rather than ending with the final whistle.
Drogba’s experience at Chelsea provides a practical example of how the football industry can generate employment outside the playing field.
He has highlighted groundskeeping, equipment maintenance and other support services as areas where young people can acquire skills and build careers.
He has urged young people to look beyond becoming professional footballers or coaches, pointing to the range of jobs required to operate a modern football club and organise major competitions.
His message offers an important perspective for Tanzania as it prepares for AFCON 2027, particularly in developing skills that can support the country’s sports industry long after the tournament.
The private sector also has a role to play. Businesses in hospitality, transport, catering, retail and tourism stand to benefit from increased demand as teams, officials, journalists and supporters travel to the region.