Caf postpones 2024 Chan fiesta to August, draw still on

Workers put on last touches at Kasarani Stadium Sunday ahead of 2024 Chan draw in Nairobi. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

After months of speculation, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has finally postponed the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) from February to August 2025 due to the hosting nations' unpreparedness.

The tournament involving local-based players to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania was supposed to be held between February 1 and 28.

Though concerned authorities in the three East African nations have been putting a brave face saying they are all ready for the tournament, the state of their facilities have always given a different picture.

But after a recent inspection by Caf's Technical and Infrastructure experts, the continental body had no option but to reschedule the tournament that will act as a dry run for the eagerly awaited 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The experts, who recently toured the region, advised the continental body to give the three nations more time to uplift their facilities to the required standards before hosting the event.

"Good progress has been made in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with the construction and upgrading of stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities for the hosting of a successful African Nations Championship (Chan) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024," Caf said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

Caf president Patrice Motsepe added: "I am impressed with the ongoing construction and renovations of the football infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. I am confident that the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities will be at the requisite Caf standards for hosting, in August 2025, a very successful African Nations Championship (Chan) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024."

This announcement came barely hours before the tournament's draw in Nairobi.

The draw for the historic event will be held at the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday.

Turnaround Time

There were doubts about Kenya's preparedness to co-host the tournament, but tonight's mega ceremony in the city under the sun is a clear indication that Kenya, which is considered a sporting powerhouse in the world, is set to write a new history as far as hosting of international events is concerned.

But honestly, it has not been a walk in the park to realize this dream that will not only put the region in a pole position to host other major continental and global events, but also grow economically.

Having been stripped of the hosting rights of the 1996 Afcon to South Africa and 2018 Chan to Morocco due to a lack of standardised facilities, Kenyans can't wait to finally stage a successful and historic continental showpiece. But the postponement of the tournament is a blessing in disguise to the region. Kenya now has enough time to ensure both Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums which have been under renovation for uncountable months are in good shape.

Caf president Patrice Motsepe talks to former Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen, PS Peter Tum, Local Organising Committee chairman Nicholas Musonye and FKF president Hussein Mohammed after inspecting Kasarani Stadium on December 20, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

While Uganda Cranes and Taifa Stars have already participated in the Chan tournament, this will be the first time for Harambee Stars in the finals of this competition.

Save for the trio, today's draw will likely feature 14 other teams including holders Senegal, two-time champions Morocco and Nigeria. Only 17 of the initially targeted 19 teams have been confirmed.

The winners of the final will walk home with Sh453.25 million (USD 3.5 million) in prize money. This year's tournament has been made more lucrative after the continental body increased the total prize money to Sh1.3 billion (USD 10.4 million).

Kenyan legend and FA deputy president McDonald Mariga, Uganda's Hassan Wasswa and Mrisho Ngasa of Tanzania will serve as the draw assistants in the event to be graced by President William Ruto, Caf president Patrice Motsepe, Tanzania's Minister for Sports Damas Ndumbaro and his Ugandan counterpart Peter Ogwang among other dignitaries.

Even as Kenya continues to race against time in terms of preparedness, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum said that all security protocols have been observed ahead of the draw on Wednesday night (8pm).

"We are prepared to host the draw tomorrow (Wednesday). We have looked at three key areas specifically; event management, and we will conduct a dry run to ensure that everything is in order before the big day," Tum said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Caf's Head of Safety and Security Christian Emeruwa, said only invited and accredited individuals will be allowed in the building.

On his side, Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye reiterated the importance of the tournament to the East African region.