Kenya has got the final thumbs-up in preparation for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after receiving the official approval by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the main venues for the continental tournament.
The much-anticipated clearance was given on Monday, July 21, 2025, 12 days before the kick-off of the opening match, easing pressure on the host country and breathing new life into preparations that have taken months of tireless efforts.
A CAF delegation led by Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba conducted a final tour of the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium. Following the tour, CAF declared the two stadiums as completely ready to host the matches.
“There is so much progress that has been made by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. We no longer have questions of readiness only minor details remain,” Mosengo-Omba said. He specifically cited the renovation at Kasarani, where the tournament final will take place on August 30, as a reflection of Kenya’s readiness to host a world-class event.
The final nod followed a high-profile tour of inspections led by Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya, Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, Chair of the Local Organising Committee Nicholas Musonye, and FKF President Hussein Mohammed. The delegation provided CAF with the assurance of Kenya’s preparedness in totality and support until the final whistle.
“We welcome CAF’s commendation and remain committed to scaling up preparations. We will ensure no detail is left to chance,” CS Mvurya stated.
To reinforce safety, the State Department for Sports also announced plans to conduct rigorous security simulations at all match venues. These emergency drills aim to confirm the adequacy of installed systems and offer a safe environment for players, spectators, and officials throughout the competition.
The approval is especially significant for Kenya, which was stripped of CHAN hosting rights in 2018 over delays and infrastructure issues. This time, the tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda – a historic first for East Africa.
With the stadiums swept clean and excitement building, focus now shifts to Group A where Kenya‘s Harambee Stars will face DR Congo, Angola, Morocco, and Zambia. The national team, under new head coach Benni McCarthy, will kick off their campaign on Sunday, August 3, at 3:00 PM in front of a hopeful home crowd.
