The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, has said that preparations for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations should go hand in hand with efforts to identify and develop new football talent in the country through various youth tournaments and football festivals.
Msigwa explained that Tanzania has a great opportunity to benefit from the tournament if it invests early in the development of talented young players. He noted that an increase in youth competitions would provide more opportunities for players to be seen, recognized, and nurtured at different levels of the game.
According to Msigwa, AFCON 2027 is not only about preparing stadiums and infrastructure, but also an opportunity to build a new generation of players who will be ready to represent Tanzania competitively in the future.
“As we move closer to AFCON 2027, it is important to see more football festivals and youth tournaments taking place across the country. That is where we discover new talent and give young people the chance to showcase their abilities,” said Msigwa.
He also called on sports stakeholders, various institutions, and the private sector to continue collaborating in organizing youth competitions that will help develop football in Tanzania and increase competitiveness among emerging players.
He emphasized that investing in young talent today will form a strong foundation for the future success of Tanzanian football, with AFCON 2027 serving as a major catalyst for accelerating that development and leaving a lasting legacy in the country’s sports sector.
