Reprieve as Kenya gets green light on CHAN hosting dates

Kenya Uganda and Tanzania will host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), from February 1-28, 2025.

The dates were confirmed by FUFA Executive Committee Member Rogers Byamukama, after CAF granted hosting rights to the three East African nations, following recent inspection visits held in August this year.

The East African neighbours had been waiting patiently for the new dates from the Confederations of African Football (CAF) after the initial dates of September 2023, were cancelled due to a congested calendar, and lack of certified stadia.

“As everybody is aware, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania were granted rights to host the AFCON 2027. As part of an attempt to win that bid, the three Governments and Federations on the Pamoja Bid requested CAF permission to host CHAN as a preparatory competition,” Byamukama said.

The football administrator adds that CAF granted those rights having conducted several inspection visits to check the progress of the facilities.

“The information we have is that CHAN will be happening and the three East African Pamoja countries will be given those rights to host,” he said.

The news offers a reprieve to Kenya which has closed down Nyayo Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani - for renovations, while a brand new  60,000-seater Talanta City stadium is taking shape at Jamuhuri, Nairobi.

Football fans and pundits were uneasy, fearing for the worse after Kenya previously failed to host Afcon in 1996 and CHAN 2018.

According to Sports Principal Secretary, Peter Tum the two facilities inspected by CAF in June and August this year will be the probable venue for the CHAN group matches.

Meanwhile, FKF CEO Barry Otieno believes the government is doing its level best to ensure we are ready to host the biggest African football tournament.

Among the areas of concern at Nyayo Stadium were the changing rooms, the scoreboard, flood lights the drainage system and the improving media center from Level Two to Level Three

Tum had assured Kenyans that the contractors were progressing well and Nyayo was to be 100 per cent ready in August.

However, this didn’t happen leading to Kenya hosting her Afcon 2025 qualifier against Zimbabwe in neighboring Uganda.

No clear dates are being offered on when the renovations at Nyayo and Kasarani Stadium will be complete.

Meanwhile, Kenya's Afcon 2027 co-hosts Uganda and Tanzania have two approved stadiums each.

Uganda brags of Mandela National Stadium and St Mary’s Stadium while Tanzania have Benjamin Mkapa and Azam Sports Complex.