East African leaders' cash promises boost CHAN title hopes

Fans during the CHAN 2024 match between Zambia and Morocco at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Thursday, August 14, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

East African football fans say cash incentives from their presidents are fuelling hopes that the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) trophy will remain in the region for the first time.

Supporters in Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland point to recent wins and group leads as proof the financial pledges are lifting morale  and performances.

President William Ruto has promised Kenya’s Harambee Stars Sh1 million per player for every win and Sh500,000 for a draw, alongside Sh46 million for reaching the quarterfinals, Sh60 million for the semifinals and Sh600 million for winning the cup.

After a strong start, he raised the reward to Sh2.5 million per player if Kenya beat Zambia on Sunday in Nairobi.

“No Kenyan leader has ever enticed Harambee Stars players in any continental showpiece since independence,” noted Tusker FC fan Willice Wambugu. Nakuru-based Gor Mahia supporter James Ataro observed the move was a historic show of passion for the sport.

Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania have made similar offers. Museveni pledged Uganda Cranes Ush1.2 billion (Sh46 million) per win.

The incentives appear to be working. Kenya lead Pool A with seven points after beating the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0, drawing 1-1 with Angola and defeating Morocco 1-0. Uganda top Pool C with six points from wins over Guinea and Nigeria, despite an opening loss to Algeria. Tanzania’s Taifa Stars head Pool B with nine points after victories over Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Madagascar.

Patrick Onyango, a businessman in Kampala, explained Uganda’s performance is fuelling belief the title is theirs to lose. “We cannot afford to let this one chance go away,” he remarked.

In Zanzibar City, tuktuk rider Mohammed Khalifa stressed that home support and the president’s promises make losing unthinkable. “How can we lose this one with all the home support and cash awards promised to our players?” he posed.

The three nations now eye quarterfinal qualification, with Uganda set to face South Africa on Monday, August 18, and Tanzania playing the Central African Republic on Friday, August 16.