With just 11 days before the kick-off of the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), Confederation of African Football, better known by its French acronym Caf, has given Kenya the greenlight with regard to facilities for hosting the tournament.
Speaking in Nairobi during the final round of inspection of Kenya’s venues for the 19-team tournament, CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba said he was satisfied with the preparations the country had made towards hosting the tournament.
“I can say that I am really satisfied with what I have seen,” the Cameroonian said.
An aerial view of the newly renovated Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on June 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
“We are ready, you can see the quality of the pitch where we are at. The changing rooms, and everything... we are ready. Of course, there are some things to be fixed, like a chair to be put there rather than here, or one thing to be removed from one place to another, but we are ready to kick-off on August 2,” he said in a joint press conference with Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya. Mosengo-Omba thanked the Kenyan government, Football Kenya Federation and the tournament’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) for a good job.
Mvurya said hosting the 2024 Chan is crucial for Kenya since the country missed an opportunity to host the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, and 2018 Chan. Kenya was awarded hosting rights for both tournaments, but later lost the hosting rights due to inadequate preparations.
Kenya will co-host the month-long tournament with Uganda and Tanzania from August 2 to 30. The opening ceremony will be held at the 60,000-seater Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, while the final will take place at the 55,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani in Nairobi.
As part of Kenya’s preparations towards hosting the tournament, Mvurya said there will be a simulation exercise to test Kenya’s security preparedness today.
“We will have the security simulation training just basically to ensure we do not take anything for granted. I urge all Kenyans to provide the required support to ensure that we have a great hosting of Chan 2024,” said the CS.
A view of a section of Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
After touring the stadiums, Mosengo-Omba paid a courtesy call on Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya at Talanta Plaza.
But Mosengo-Omba remained noncommittal on when match tickets will go on sale. This comes amid growing concern from football fans on social media over the delay. Pressed for details, Mosengo-Omba said: “Soon, very, very soon. I am happy that you want to buy your ticket.”
Nicholas Musonye, chairman of Kenya’ sLOC for the tournament, had on July 11 told journalists that the tickets were expected to go on sale on July 11. In Kenya, Musonye announced that the regular tickets will retail at Sh200 while the VIP and VVIP will go for Sh500 and Sh1000 respectively.
However, three days later, Mvurya announced that the tickets would go on sale on July 16 - another date that came and went without the tickets being released.
The tickets are expected to be sold exclusively online, with only those with valid ones granted access to the stadiums to watch the matches.
Kenya has received final approval from CAF to co-host the 2024 Chan starting August 2, with newly refurbished venues including Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadiums.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation
“Where are we buying the tickets from??” questioned @Kim_TheCaptain on the same platform. “Link ya kubuy tickets (where is the link to buying tickets?” asked @RichardAginnga5 also on X.
All Kenya’s Group “A” matches will be played at Kasarani. Mosengo-Omba also failed to specify when the promotion of the tournament will start. “People are calling us to ask when they will start buying the tickets. I think everybody on the continent is aware of this competition. They are excited to be part of this from August 2,” he said. Regarding Kenya’s preparation for the tournament, the Caf General Secretary said he is impressed with the progress made but noted that a few things still remain to be done.
