The Kenyan government has confirmed they have been handed the rights to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in 2024.
Though the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are yet to make the news officials, Kenya through President William Ruto announced on Monday that the cabinet had approved the plans to host the tournament that features local-based players during their meeting held in Kisumu.
The government is hoping to use CHAN as a dress rehearsal to prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which will be hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Apart from CHAN, Kenya have been granted the rights to host the CECAFA U18 championships and AFCON U15 tournament.
A statement released by the government after the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting read in part: “In addition to the 2027 AFCON, Kenya has also been selected to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in September 2024; the CECAFA U18 championship in November 2023; and the AFCON U15 (pan African schools’ football) CECAFA region championship in December 2023.”
In regards to hosting the 2027 AFCON, the Kenyan government outlined their plans to renovate and build stadia ahead of the tournament dubbed “East Africa Pamoja”.
“In a bid to elevate Kenya’s standing as a sporting powerhouse, the cabinet approved various construction and renovation projects of facilities for hosting the 2027 AFCON),” read the statement, adding: “The ambitious plan includes building the Talanta Sports Complex (Jamhuri, Nairobi) and extensive renovations of Nyayo Stadium, Moi Kasarani, and Kipchoge Keino Stadium.”
The statement continued: “The administration’s signature project under this initiative will be the Talanta Sports Complex; a 60,000-seater football stadium featuring ample parking, world-class training pitches, a commercial hub named the ‘Hustler Bazaar’, an arena, and a dedicated public transport terminus. The renovation efforts for Kasarani, Nyayo, and Kipchoge Keino stadia will include pitch rehabilitation, enhanced facilities, ICT infrastructure, canopy installation, and Hustler Bazaars.”
If approved by CAF, this will be the second time Kenya is getting the rights to host CHAN. In 2017, the East African nation won the right to stage the same but they were stripped of hosting duties with Morocco replacing them because they were way behind with their preparations.