There is a stirring in the heart of the continent as CHAN 2024 preparations in East Africa reach their climax. With every tick of the clock toward kickoff on August 2, a story larger than the beautiful game unfolds—one of shared ambition, resilience, and the delicate balance between sport and politics.
The Pamoja spirit driving East African unity
The image is powerful: sports ministers from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—Salim Mvurya, Peter Ogwang, and Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi—standing side by side. Under the banner of “Pamoja” (Swahili for “together”), these three nations have promised the continent a world-class CHAN tournament that celebrates African football, unity, and regional development.
This is not just rhetoric. Ministers have committed to regular, high-level consultative meetings, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba himself has traveled to Nairobi, offering measured encouragement and feedback. “Visa is crucial to allow free movement, and it is commendable that it’s being worked on,” Mosengo-Omba noted, nodding to the innovative Pamoja Visa unveiled by the hosts to remove travel barriers for fans, officials, and teams alike.
Stadium upgrades—the legacy moves beyond CHAN 2024
At the core of this effort is infrastructure, blending tradition and future promise.
- Kenya is breathing new life into Nairobi’s storied Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums, while also upgrading key training venues like Kirigiti, Police Sacco, and Ulinzi Stars Grounds,
- Uganda is revitalizing the legendary Nakivubo Stadium and breaking new ground with arenas in Lira City and Hoima,
- Tanzania is transforming the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and building advanced facilities in Dodoma and Arusha.
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This push is more than a sprint to match deadlines. As Prof. Kabudi emphasized, “The infrastructure being put in place will serve us beyond CHAN and into AFCON 2027. It will also open the door to hosting other international events, not only football but also athletics.”
Security and logistics—rising to the modern challenge
No major tournament succeeds without meticulous security and logistics planning, and this challenge has not been lost on the region. CAF’s Dr. Christian Emeruwa, head of Safety and Security, openly praised the region’s preparation after a series of practical, football-specific training workshops in Nairobi, Tanzania, and Uganda. “In terms of personnel, what we have seen is impressive and commendable. We are happy with the people we have trained,” he said, underscoring the vital difference between daily policing and specialized event security.
Led by senior supervisors and national police, these workshops included hands-on simulations at key venues such as Nyayo Stadium. Their focus—crowd control, ticket verification, and an understanding of CAF’s unique requirements—lays the groundwork for a safe, vibrant fan experience across borders.
The elephant in the room—political headwinds and public debate
Yet, sports do not happen in a vacuum. The optimism of regional unity faces real-world political strain. Just months before kick-off, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna stoked national debate by calling for Kenya’s withdrawal from co-hosting duties. His plea follows reports that Kenyan and Ugandan activists were allegedly abducted and mistreated by Tanzanian authorities while supporting opposition activities.
Sifuna’s message was blunt: ban Tanzanian politicians from Kenya, withdraw from CHAN, and cancel related regional events in protest. With the African sporting community watching, such declarations spotlight the razor-edge upon which diplomacy, sport, and civil rights intersect.
Despite the uproar, Kenya’s Sports CS Salim Mvurya and his counterparts have held firm—doubling down on transparency, coordination, and commitment to CHAN’s promise of regional pride and international friendship. “As PAMOJA countries, we have made significant strides and are now focused on finalising key elements, including cross-border facilitation, budgetary allocations, and tax exemptions to ensure a smooth and successful tournament,” Mvurya affirmed.
Delays, pressure, and CAF’s cautiously optimistic stamp
The road to CHAN 2024 has not been without hazards. Originally scheduled for September 2023, the tournament has endured two postponements, extended to August 2025, mainly due to slow infrastructure progress—especially in Kenya. Social media and the public have not held back criticism, with skepticism swirling over stadium completion and readiness.
CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba’s inspection tours underscore the weight of expectation. “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,” he observed. Yet he remained frank: the real test would be consistency. Beyond green pitches and new seats, finishing touches—working dressing rooms, operational VAR, media facilities—must all be ready for CAF’s final approval.
Kenya’s sports leadership, for their part, have moved decisively. Mvurya announced a payment of Sh400 million to speed up works at Kasarani. With the eyes of a continent upon them, East Africa’s leaders know that success at CHAN 2024 is not just about trophies or applause—but about fulfilling a pledge of reliability ahead of the even bigger stage: AFCON 2027.
CHAN 2024 as a vehicle for transformation
Why does all this matter so deeply to East Africa? Because, for decades, Kenyan, Ugandan, and Tanzanian football has oscillated between breathtaking local talent and chronic underinvestment. Hosting CHAN represents more than a logistical or infrastructural challenge—it is a chance to reshape perceptions, galvanize local economies, and give younger generations tangible proof of Africa’s potential to deliver world-class sporting events.
Uganda’s Peter Ogwang captured the emotional core best: “We welcome Africa to our home and promise the best competition in the history of CHAN.”
Looking ahead—will the Pamoja promise hold?
The coming weeks will be critical. CAF’s pending certifications, the final touches on stadium upgrades, and the careful navigation of political sensitivities will test every aspect of the region’s professed unity. But whether one is a lifelong football devotee or a newcomer captivated by the continent’s collective effort, one truth is clear: CHAN 2024 is much bigger than a tournament.
It is the story of three nations, crossing borders both literal and metaphorical, daring to show that Pamoja—together—isn’t just a slogan, but a legacy in the making. The whistle blows soon. East Africa’s proud, fragile, determined heartbeat grows louder—with the world, at last, listening in.
