Why CAF stripped Kenya rights to host CHAN Group D matches
Reading Time: 4min | Fri. 20.06.25. | 17:37
An official serving in the Local Organising Committee (LOC) told Mozzart Sport that CAF were not pleased with Kenya's pace in having the sporting infrastructure ready on time
The decision to award Kenya the rights to stage the final match of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) appeared to thrill football enthusiasts.
On Thursday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that curtains will comclude at Kasarani Stadium, with Tanzania hosting the opening match.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
While Kenyans, if the feedback on social media is anything to go by, appeared to embrace the decision to stage the final, the country lost something bigger due the snail-pace witnessed in getting the sporting infrastructure ready.
Initially, Kenya was to host two group stage matches, but CAF quietly stripped the country the rights to have Group D matches heled in Nairobi.
Consequently, Kenya will only play host to Group A matches that will see Harambee Stars take on; Angola, Morocco, DR Congo and Zambia.
On the other hand, Tanzania who were initially set to host one group, will now host two groups, Group B and D, with the former and latter being staged in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar respectively.
Group B brings together; Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic with Group D consisting of; Senegal, Congo, Sudan and Nigeria.
According to a source privy to the development, who spoke to Mozzart Sport on condition of anonymity, CAF were not convinced with Kenya's ability to host two group matches.
“The biggest news was that Kenya just got stripped off the rights to host Group D matches which have now been given to Zanzibar,” opened up the source.
“CAF were dissatisfied with Kenya's ability to host two groups as no facility was ready less than two months to the tournament,” added the source.
When Kenya alongside neighbours; Tanzania and Uganda made a successful bid to host both the 2024 CHAN, Kenya presented two venues while Uganda and Tanzania presented one each.
.jpg)
Kenya added a third venue in the Talanta Sports City Stadium for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
For CHAN, Kenya presented the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani and the Nyayo National Stadium as venues for the matches.
Additionally, the country was to have six training facilities.
Kenya identified; the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata, Kenya Police Sacco Grounds, Kirigiti Stadium and Kasarani Annex A and B as part of the six.
With none of the facilities ready for any of its intended purpose by the time the hosting rights were won, Kenya embarked on an enormous task to upgrade and renovate the various facilities in readiness for the continental tourney.
Kasarani which was Kenya's main stadium was then closed for renovations in August 2023 while Nyayo was closed a year later.
Initially, the tournament was to take place from 1 February to 28 February, with 31 December 2024 serving as the deadline set by CAF for the host nations to have everything ready for the tourney.
However, on 14 January, CAF announced the postponement of the tournament to August 2025 mainly to allow the host nations to prepare better.
With an additional six months to prepare, Kenya was expected to be ready before then but CAF was not satisfied with the progress.
“CAF was not impressed with Kenya's preparations, especially between February and May when there was little progress,” stated our source.
On the other hand, Tanzania was making major progress and had Benjamin Mkapa Stadium ready and to CAF’s satisfaction.
Additionally, Tanzania renovated the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar - the hometown of President Samia Suluhu to CAF standards.
Amaan Stadium successfully hosted the CAF Confederation Cup final pitting Tanzanian Giants Simba SC against eventual winner RS Berkane of Morocco, a match that testified its ability to host high profile CAF matches.
With less than two months to CHAN, Kenya had no facility ready to host the tournament while Tanzania had two facilities proven capable of hosting Category 4 matches.
With CAF not ready to take chances with two groups, Kenya lost pool D matches to Tanzania.
Kampala, still remains the host for group C matches that will involve hosts; Uganda, Niger, Guinea, South Africa and Algeria. The matches will be staged at the Mandela Stadium in Kirinya.
At Nyayo National Stadium, the outer perimeter wall is still under construction, while the LED large stadium screens have not been installed.
The tartan track is expected to be installed in July, a month to the beginning of the tournament.
