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Caf 'cautiously happy' with Kenya's Chan preparations
CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba (left) and Sports CS Salim Mvurya address a press conference at the Ministry of Sports offices at Talanta Plaza, Nairobi on May 27, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Originally scheduled for September 2023, the Chan tournament was postponed twice — first to February and then to August — due to delays in infrastructure readiness.
- Social media was abuzz on Monday with reports that Caf was unimpressed with Kenya’s progress. However, Mvurya maintained that Kenya is doing everything within its power to meet the requirements and deliver a successful tournament.
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) expressed cautious optimism over Kenya’s progress in preparing to co-host the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) with Uganda and Tanzania from August 2 to 28.
On Tuesday, Caf Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba, who visited key facilities earmarked for the tournament, acknowledged that significant strides have been made since his last visit in December.
“I came here in December and there was no grass on several pitches, but today you can even play golf there. This shows huge progress has been made, and even Nyayo has hosted two matches,” said a tough-talking Veron.
“Then, there were only some seats at Kasarani, but now it is fully seated. Still, there are aspects that must be completed before we can say Kenya is ready to host the tournament,” he added.
Veron made the remarks during a briefing at the Ministry of Sports offices at Talanta Plaza, Nairobi.
He was accompanied by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohamed, and Local Chan Organising Committee Chairperson Nicholas Musonye, among other officials.
During his inspection tour, Veron visited Kirigiti Stadium, Kenya Police Sacco Grounds, and Ulinzi Sports Complex, which will serve as training venues.
He also assessed the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo National Stadium — the designated match venues.
“Nobody can be sure of what will happen tomorrow, but from what I have seen today — the huge progress made — I don’t see a reason not to play here,” said Veron. “However, that is subject to continuing with this momentum. What matters is consistency.”
He also acknowledged Tanzania’s preparations as commendable, but warned that the East African trio must race against time to deliver Chan successfully.
“If this region doesn’t deliver Chan, then it will be very difficult to trust it to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.
Veron emphasised that beyond the main playing surfaces, smaller but essential amenities — such as water in dressing room taps, media tribunes, and fully operational VAR systems — must also be in place.
CS Mvurya assured the public that Kenya is committed to seeing the tournament through. He said the Kasarani pitch now has proper irrigation systems, newly installed seats, a completed canopy, upgraded VVIP section, finished changing rooms, and a fully set-up media tribune.
“What we are doing now is fixing VAR and other electronic components. We will ensure Kenya hosts this tournament,” said Mvurya.
He added that the contractor working at Kasarani had received a Sh400 million payment on Tuesday to fast-track remaining works and ensure the venue is ready.
Originally scheduled for September 2023, the Chan tournament was postponed twice — first to February and then to August — due to delays in infrastructure readiness.
Social media was abuzz on Monday with reports that Caf was unimpressed with Kenya’s progress. However, Mvurya maintained that Kenya is doing everything within its power to meet the requirements and deliver a successful tournament.