Officials from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have commenced their second round of inspections in Kenya to assess the readiness of stadiums and supporting infrastructure for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The tournament, scheduled for February 2025, will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—a first in the competition’s history.

Inspection Kickoff and Focus Areas

The CAF delegation arrived in Kenya on the morning of Wednesday, November 27, 2024, beginning their inspection at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). As a critical hub for international arrivals, JKIA is one of the key non-sporting facilities being evaluated to ensure seamless logistics for teams, officials, and fans.

The inspection scope extends beyond stadiums, focusing on:

• Training Grounds – Ensuring world-class facilities for team preparations.
• Accommodation – Hotels for players, officials, and visitors.
• Medical Facilities – To cater to the health needs of players and officials during the tournament.

Stadium and Training Site Evaluations

According to an itinerary shared by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Thursday, November 28, 2024, CAF officials will assess ongoing renovations and upgrades at several key facilities:

• Nyayo Stadium: Inspected as a primary match venue.
• Kenya Police Sacco Stadium and Ulinzi Sports Complex: Evaluated as potential training sites.

On Friday, November 29, 2024, the delegation is set to visit:

• Kasarani Main Stadium: Closed for extensive renovations in preparation for CHAN.
• Kasarani Annexe and Kenya Sports Academy Grounds: Reviewed for use as training facilities.

CAF has reiterated its dedication to maintaining top-tier tournament standards, emphasizing the importance of facilities that align with those used in recent CAF competitions.

Significance of CHAN 2024

The 2024 CHAN tournament is groundbreaking as it will be the first jointly hosted by three nations. This milestone not only celebrates regional collaboration but also serves as an opportunity to showcase East Africa’s capacity to host major continental tournaments.

Hosting CHAN 2024 is expected to position the region as a strong contender for future bids for both CAF and FIFA tournaments. The successful execution of the event will likely elevate Kenya’s, Uganda’s, and Tanzania’s reputations as premier destinations for sports tourism and development.

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