Musonye hails fan zones as heart of CHAN 2024
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 25.08.25. | 12:35
The quarterfinals will be played on Tuesday in Uganda and Tanzania. The third-position playoff will be staged in Uganda
According to Nicholas Musonye, chairman of the Kenya CHAN 2024 Local Organizing Committee, the biggest success of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 has not only been in the stadiums but also in the vibrant fan zones that brought the tournament to life across East Africa.
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From Nairobi to Dar es Salaam and Kampala, thousands gathered around giant screens, transforming public spaces into mini-stadiums that became the heartbeat of the competition.
The fan zones in Kenya were introduced after the opening three group matches involving the Harambee Stars were marred by incidents of fans without tickets forcing their way into the stadiums. Organisers saw the zones as the best way to grant supporters a safe and enjoyable viewing experience.
“This was a brilliant idea to ensure that all Kenyans felt like a part of the action. It has been a huge success, and all those who were not lucky enough to get tickets now feel the same passion as those in the stadium,” Musonye said in an interview with CAF Media.
In Nairobi alone, 13 fan zones were set up, attracting families, students, and workers. The Kenya National Archives fan park emerged as one of the most popular, buzzing with chants, songs and cheers as fans celebrated every goal. Similar scenes unfolded in Kampala and Dar es Salaam, where music, food stalls and dancing transformed the gatherings into cultural festivals.
Even after Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda exited at the quarterfinal stage, the crowds did not fade. Supporters kept streaming into the fan parks, a sign that the initiative had tapped into a deeper love for football beyond national teams.
“The true victory was seeing East Africans continue to fill the fan parks even when their teams were out. That shows the appetite and love for football is alive again,” Musonye noted.
The tournament will conclude on Saturday when the finalists face off at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The quarterfinals will be played on Tuesday in Uganda and Tanzania. The third-position playoff will be staged in Uganda.
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