With the CHAN 2024 tournament just days away, the air is charged with anticipation, pride, and a dash of anxiety across Kenya. After months marked by delays, public scrutiny, and herculean efforts by all levels of sport administration, Kenya is set to take the continental stage co-hosting the African Nations Championship, or CHAN, for the first time in its history. For local players and fans alike, this is more than just a football event. It is a moment for national affirmation, a proving ground for organizational capacity, and a celebration of African unity through sport.
Navigating challenges en route to kickoff
Preparations for CHAN 2024 have followed anything but a straight path. Initially slated for September 2023, the tournament was shelved twice — first to February, then to August 2024 — because of slow progress on infrastructural fronts. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) kept a vigilant eye, holding Kenya and its East African neighbors, Uganda and Tanzania, to exacting standards. When high-ranking CAF officials visited in December, concern hung thick — pitches lacked grass, stadium seating was incomplete, and critical training facilities required urgent upgrades.
This set a race against time. The anxiety was palpable, especially when CAF expressed cautious optimism but emphasized that consistency in progress was non-negotiable. Local Organising Committee (LOC) CEO Myke Rabar’s constant refrain has been one of resolute determination amid the mounting pressure: “We have been working very closely with the government to deliver a successful CHAN and we remain very confident that everything will fall in place.”
From dust to glory: stadium renovations and upgrades
Central to Kenya’s readiness were the twin tasks of overhauling its major venues: the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and the historic Nyayo National Stadium. Kasarani, aged 38 years and having seen everything from presidential inaugurations to club derbies, underwent a massive transformation. The government allocated significant resources — Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya revealed KSh 3.6 billion for phase one alone — to bring the venue up to CAF’s standards.
In early July, the newly renovated Kasarani Stadium was officially handed over to the LOC following months of frantic work based on CAF recommendations. Sports CS Salim Mvurya summed up the moment: “The handover follows extensive refurbishments carried out in line with recommendations by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during their routine inspections, a clear indication that Kenya is in top gear and fully prepared to host the tournament.”
The stadium will host several key CHAN 2024 matches, including the final on August 30. Nyayo Stadium has also enjoyed a facelift, with its perimeter wall demolished and rebuilt to meet security mandates after previous breaches during tense events. The track was replaced, and the stadium was closed for months to allow for upgrades, reopening just in time for the LOC handover. These works signal not just readiness for CHAN but lay the groundwork for Kenya’s responsibilities as co-host of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Security, pride, and the warm heart of Kenya
With the infrastructural boxes being ticked, attention turned urgently to safety. Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security Kipchumba Murkomen led high-profile delegations around venues, scrutinizing CCTV systems, crowd control measures, and access protocols. Assuring Kenyans and the continent, Murkomen was unequivocal: “We want to assure Africa and the world that Kenya is fully prepared to host CHAN 2024 in a secure and welcoming environment.”
A robust, multi-layered plan now covers all aspects: from airports to hotels, and from stadiums to Nairobi’s bustling streets. Security personnel are undergoing CAF-aligned training for crowd management. For the first time, no uniformed police officers will manage stadium crowds inside, with trained stewards taking center stage, a shift toward global best practice.
Kenya’s recent experience with protests and public unrest only magnified the stakes. Murkomen’s public appeals have mixed reassurance with a call for civility: “Kenyans, I think we must be at our best behaviour because we are having visitors around… let us ensure that our visitors feel at home.” With visa-free entry to all African visitors, the expectation is for packed stands, making stadium security paramount.
Fan experience, ticketing, and the spirit of CHAN
In the midst of all logistical challenges, the pulse of CHAN 2024 is with the fans. Kenya has set ticket prices at KSh200 for regular, KSh500 for VIP, and KSh1,000 for VVIP — a higher scale than Uganda’s ticketing, where accessibility was prioritized at $1, $2, and $3 across the tiers. Uganda’s LOC explained their discounted approach as an aspiration to fill venues and make the event truly inclusive, in line with CAF guidance.
Online ticket sales launched, with government officials urging supporters to buy early. As the “Pamoja CHAN” slogan signals, this co-hosted event is about communal celebration and shared ownership, both for regular football diehards and newcomers alike.
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The Harambee Stars: carrying the weight of history and hope
For the players, the CHAN 2024 journey has blended excitement with expectation. The Harambee Stars, led by South African coach Benni McCarthy since March, are in what has been called the “group of death” with serial winners like Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia. McCarthy, a veteran with the scars of many major tournaments, faces perhaps his sternest test yet.
“As hosts, we definitely want to give a good account of ourselves and do everything we can as a team to make Kenyans proud,” he stated. With friendlies against Uganda, Tanzania, and Congo Brazzaville planned in the run-up, the squad is acclimatizing to both pressure and unity. Notably, veterans like Michael Olunga and Victor Wanyama are absent, as CHAN eligibility is limited to players registered with local league clubs.
The narrative for the team is clear: this is not just a football mission, but an opportunity to etch their names in national folklore, and perhaps inspire new dreams in cities and grassroots fields across the country.
CHAN as a rehearsal for 2027 AFCON and beyond
Beneath the spotlight of CHAN 2024 lies a significant subtext: the eyes of the footballing world, including CAF, are fixed on East Africa to prove it can host events on a grand scale. As CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba bluntly put it, “If this region doesn’t deliver CHAN, then it will be very difficult to trust it to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.”
Succeeding now would transform Kenya’s sporting profile, attract future investment, and galvanize local football. It is a pressure that weighs heavily but carries with it the promise of a new era — one where the beautiful game’s finest moments can unfold amidst the passion and vibrancy of Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam.
The final word: from skepticism to belief
Kenya’s road to CHAN 2024 has not been smooth, but as the tournament’s opening whistle approaches, the sense is one of rising unity and national pride. Comprehensive security is in place, stadiums sparkle with fresh paint and new seats, and the Harambee Stars prepare to carry the hopes of a nation. As the stands fill and the world turns its eyes to Kenya, the message resonates: this is more than just football, it is a statement about resilience, preparation, and the unifying power of sport.
With CHAN 2024 set to be the springboard for even greater ambitions, Kenya stands ready at kickoff, eager to prove its mettle and to write the first sentences in a bold new chapter of African football history.
