Kenya has significantly ramped up its preparations for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) taking swift action as the tournament draws near. With the event scheduled to kick off in just over a month, the country’s focus has been on meeting the looming deadlines, particularly in terms of infrastructure upgrades and logistical coordination.
The LOC held its first official meeting on December 23, 2024, marking a crucial step in Kenya’s journey to co-host the prestigious tournament. The meeting, which took place in Nairobi, was followed by an inspection of the Nyayo National Stadium, one of the key venues for the tournament. This inspection was led by the Sports Principal Secretary, alongside key figures such as the FKF President and the LOC Chair. The involvement of high-ranking officials underscored the nation’s collective commitment to ensuring a successful event.
The government’s support for the tournament has been unwavering, with infrastructure upgrades and stakeholder collaboration being central to the preparations. The Sports Principal Secretary provided a detailed update on the technical aspects of the preparations, assuring the public that the necessary work was on track. He emphasized that the technical working groups were well aware of their roles and responsibilities, and that Kenya was on schedule to be ready by January 2025.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed expressed his appreciation for the government’s efforts, noting the significant progress being made at all the designated sites. His remarks reflected a sense of optimism and confidence in Kenya’s ability to host the event successfully. Similarly, LOC Chair Nicholas Musonye reaffirmed the committee’s determination to meet its objectives, emphasizing that they were working tirelessly to ensure the country would be fully prepared.
Kenya’s journey to hosting CHAN 2025 has not been without challenges. When the country was awarded the hosting rights in December 2023, none of its stadiums met the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards required for international matches. This posed a significant hurdle, as the country had to quickly address these shortcomings to meet the tournament’s requirements. In response, Kenya committed to upgrading two stadiums to meet CAF’s criteria, a promise that triggered an intensive infrastructure overhaul.
In comparison, the other co-hosts, Tanzania and Uganda, had a head start. Tanzania already had a stadium that met CAF’s standards, while Uganda received approval for its designated venue earlier in 2024. However, Kenya’s efforts have been focused on overcoming these obstacles, and the government has made substantial investments to ensure that the necessary upgrades are completed in time.
Kenya’s past struggles with hosting major tournaments have also been a factor in the current preparations. In 1996, the country lost the rights to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to South Africa due to unpreparedness. A similar fate befell Kenya in 2017 when it was stripped of its hosting rights for the 2018 CHAN. These setbacks have made the current efforts even more significant, as the country seeks to reverse this pattern and prove its capability to host major international events.
The government’s commitment to infrastructure development is evident in the ongoing upgrades to Nyayo National Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which will serve as the primary venues for the tournament. These upgrades are part of a broader strategy to ensure that the country is ready not only for CHAN 2025 but also for future international tournaments, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.
As the tournament draws closer, Kenya’s preparations are gaining momentum. The LOC, government officials, and other stakeholders are working in tandem to ensure that all aspects of the tournament, from logistics to infrastructure, are in place. With the support of the government and the commitment of all involved, Kenya is determined to deliver a successful CHAN 2025 and showcase its ability to host major international sporting events. The country’s focus on meeting the looming deadlines reflects a new era of preparedness and determination, signaling a break from the challenges of the past.
