Motsepe: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host best ever Chan tournament

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has tipped Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to host the best-ever Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2025.

The African football supremo confirmed the biennial competition will run from February 1 to February 28, 2025, in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania under the pamoja banner.

The first round of qualifiers will be played on the weekend of October 25-27, 2024, with CAF set to communicate in due course stadiums and training grounds to be used for the competition.

Motsepe affirmed his satisfaction with Kenya’s preparations for the CHAN tournament but added there was a lot to be done yet despite the good progress. He expressed his deep gratitude to President William Ruto, whom he met at the State House for the commitment and investment into the stadiums and infrastructure ahead of the 2024 CHAN and Afcon 2027.

“My deep gratitude to President Ruto for the commitment he gave the CAF committee this morning. On Sunday I visited three stadiums, Kasarani, Nyayo and Talanta City, and I was very impressed with the upgrading works and renovations. Kenya is a football-loving nation, and I'm very proud of the progress Kenya has made," Motsepe said.

The biennial competition features players plying their trade in their country's domestic leagues.

Senegal is the current Chan champions after they defeated the host Algeria 4-5 on post-match penalties after a barren draw in Algiers two years ago.

The tournament will also feature 19 teams from the original 16, due to three host countries. East Africa will get the chance for one more team to qualify.

“Chan is an excellent opportunity for Africa-based players. It is a perfect place to groom tomorrow’s winners of the Afcon,” Motsepe said.

“I am confident that this Chan will be the most successful in the history of this competition, both on the field as well as the media coverage and the investment we are expecting in Africa but also globally.”

The South African was accompanied by, among others, CAF general secretary Véron Mosengo-Ombasaid, Augustin Senghor, CAF 1st vice President from Sénégal, Kanizat Ibrahim, 5th vice President from Comoros, and  Amaju Pinnick from Nigeria. 

"Nothing frustrates me more than national teams playing home matches outside their country due to a lack of stadiums, and I hope we can stop this by investing heavily in football and infrastructure," Motsepe said.

On the FKF election, Motsepe said he is confident the federation will organise their elections on time without any hitches. 

Meanwhile, President William Ruto, while addressing the CAF Exco, vowed to ensure that all facilities are ready.  Initial plans. 

Motsepe promised to return in December to personally check the progress of the stadia before traversing through to Uganda and Tanzania on the same.