Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to co-hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) alongside Tanzania and Uganda, despite concerns about its preparedness for the tournament. The country is set to provide two venues, Nyayo National Stadium and Kasarani Stadium, for the 19-team competition, which kicks off on February 1.
Reports had suggested that Kenya was at risk of losing its hosting rights following a recent inspection of facilities by the Confederation of African Football (Caf). However, a Caf official has denied any discussion of stripping Kenya of its hosting rights.
Kenya’s sports minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, acknowledged that hosting CHAN would be a challenge, but expressed the country’s determination to succeed. “With the benefit of hindsight, we put ourselves under pressure by hosting CHAN,” Murkomen told BBC Sport Africa. “If we had taken more time to think through it, maybe, perhaps we should not have done so. But now that we have committed ourselves, we have decided that we will do everything in the books humanly possible to make sure that we achieve what we need to do.”
This will be the first time three countries have jointly hosted CHAN, a tournament reserved for players who feature in their national domestic leagues. The competition is seen as a dress rehearsal for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, who will co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2027.
Kenya was awarded the hosting rights in December 2023, despite not having any stadiums approved by Caf at the time. The country has since promised to have two venues ready for the tournament, with renovations underway at a cost of over $20 million.
Murkomen defended the decision to host CHAN, citing the potential benefits for tourism and the sports sector. “We are thinking our tourism is going to go up. We also believe that it’s going to inspire growth in the sports sector, and many young people will get opportunities. We believe that football investors and football scouts will also see Kenya as a country [with] potential.”
The sports minister also acknowledged that qualification for CHAN 2024 is due to be completed by the end of December, and that any changes to the hosting arrangements would be made by Caf. “It will not be our decision if it will be hosted in one stadium, it will have to be decision of Caf,” he said.
