After months of doubt and fears that East Africa could be stripped of the chance host Eighth Edition of CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), tournament organising committee has laid has the fears to rest and announced its readiness for the soccer bonanza that kicks off on August 2-30 in Nairobi, Kampala and Dar es Salaam on August.

Kenya will co-host the CHAN with Uganda and Tanzania, with Tanzania hosting the tournament’s opening match while Kenya will host the final and Uganda third-place playoff. This will be the eighth edition of the biennial competition organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the first to be co-hosted by three countries.

Speaking during CHAN National Steering Committee meeting at Talanta Plaza in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi said the country has been given the go-ahead by CAF after meeting the requisite conditions set by the continental soccer body.  

CAF was forced to postpone the tournament from March 2025 to August 2025 after Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania failed meet preparations deadlines set by CAF. Consequently, there were fears that CAF would be forced to find a new host for the tournament.

“We assure Kenyans that we are ready. The committee had an oversight CHAN meeting to appraise ourselves of our preparedness to host the tournament and we can report that everything is ready,” he said. He added that CAF has given the country the greenlight that was followed by a draw for fixtures and matches venues.

The principal secretary, who is also chair of the committee, said the committee handed over Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium on Monday to the Local Organising Committee and that the other facilities are also ready for the matches.

“We have also toured to confirm that the other stadiums and training grounds that will be used during the tournaments and we can confirm that the infrastructure is ready to host the matches,” he said.

He gave an assurance that the facilities meet CAF and FIFA standardss. 

Principal Secretary for Defence Patrick Mariru reiterated that all the infrastructure and stadiums to be used during the tournament are ready to host the matches. Mariru said the department was responsible for supervising the renovation and the upgrading of the facilities and confirmed they are ready to host the matches.

“I would like to confirm that the renovation and upgrading of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Stadium and Nyayo National Stadium are complete,” he said. He also said that Ulinzi Sports Complex and Police Sacco Stadium, which will be sued as training venues, are also ready.

About security, Principal Secretary for Interior Raymond Omollo assured Kenyans and visiting teams and fans of their security as the necessary security deployments made.

“We have made the necessary deployments and training reviews that will ensure our visitors as well as Kenyans who will be participating as either spectators or as business people, hotel owners and everybody in the entire ecosystem are well protected,” he said.

He appealed to the public to work closely with all the security agencies and security officers for purposes of ease of flow of traffic and also order within the stadiums where we will be hosting the tournament and the training grounds across the city.

Omollo said that successful hosting of CHAN Championship will enhance Kenya’s reputation internationally as a sporting nation. Kenya is known worldwide as an athletics superpower. Football will be a new experience for eastern Africa.

“The football fraternity has invested heavily in sporting infrastructure to promote talent and to showcase what Kenya can offer, not just in the East Africa Community (EAC) but to the rest of the world,” he said. He observed that the success of the event will be a precursor to many other important sporting events that will bring business to the country and promote it.

The African Nations Championship (CHAN), officially known as the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship will run from August 2-30, 2025.

The tournament focuses on home-based players to provide a platform for local talent to gain exposure and experience.

–           A Tell Media / KNA report / By Anita Omwenga