‘The next time I will return to Kenya will be for CHAN’ – says CAF boss Motsepe

CAF President Patrice Motsepe in Nairobi - Photo Courtesy CAF Media.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has admitted to being satisfied with the progress made by Kenya as they strive to co-host the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament.

Kenya have been racing against time to host the tournament, with rumours spreading that they had been stripped off their hosting rights with Rwanda being picked instead.

However, speaking after touring Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium, the visiting CAF President assured that the 2024 CHAN tournament is in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to stay and further promised that next year's tournament will be historic.

“I leave Kenya with even more confidence because of the progress that I’ve seen. The next time I’ll be here in Kenya will be for CHAN,” Motsepe told Pan-Africa Football. We will have the most successful CHAN in the history of this competition.”

Earlier on Friday, Motsepe met with Kenya President William Ruto, who assured the CAF that the country was doing everything within their means to be ready for the tournament.

“Kenya is pulling all the stops to be ready to host the African Nations Championships (CHAN) in February 2025. Consequently, renovations at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium are progressing according to plan,” Ruto said in a statement seen by Pan-Africa Football.

“Ulinzi Sports Complex and Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi, and Kirigiti Stadium (Kiambu), which will be used for training ahead of CHAN, are also under renovation and will be ready ahead of the championships.”

Apart from Motsepe, others who attended the meeting at State House Nairobi include CAF Fourth Vice-President Seidou Mbombo Njoya and Secretary-General Veron Mosengo-Omba.

Also present were Federation of Kenya Football (FKF) President Hussein Mohamed, Vice-President McDonald Mariga and CHAN/AFCON Head of Secretariat Mike Rabar.

The 2024 CHAN tournament will be the eighth edition, and the third time that it is hosted in the CECAFA Zone after Sudan in 2011 and Rwanda in 2016.