Kenya Celebrates CHAN 2024 Kickoff with Grand Opening in Nairobi

East Africa has officially launched the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, marking a significant moment as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda jointly host the tournament, which began today. 

The echoes of "football's coming home," a phrase often linked to England's association with the sport’s origins, resonate profoundly in East Africa. Almost a century ago, Nairobi hosted the first international football match between two African nations. On 1 May 1926, Kenya and Uganda played to a 1-1 draw, with Kenya winning the replay 2-1 two days later. This encounter inaugurated the Gossage Cup, now the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, the oldest international football competition in Africa. 

Initially exclusive to East African teams, this tournament established a regional footballing identity long before the formation of formal continental structures.

Now, this legacy is being revitalised on a grander scale. From 2 to 30 August, 16 teams from across Africa will compete in the tournament, co-hosted by the three East African nations. CHAN 2024 serves not only as a showcase of footballing talent but also as a crucial preparatory event for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the same trio will jointly host. 

Matches are scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, and Zanzibar, with stadiums throughout the region undergoing significant upgrades to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards. Kenya's Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo National Stadium have been extensively renovated. In Tanzania, the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium has been refurbished, as have Uganda’s Nelson Mandela Stadium and Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium. 

Furthermore, new stadiums are under construction to prepare for AFCON 2027, underscoring a broader commitment to infrastructure development that extends beyond sports facilities. Improvements to transport networks and the implementation of robust logistical systems aim to position East Africa as a capable and ambitious host for major international events.

The economic impact of hosting CHAN 2024 is already tangible. Tourism is projected to increase, with hotels, restaurants, and local businesses anticipating greater patronage from visiting fans, officials, and media representatives. Language professionals are preparing to support CAF’s multilingual operations, while transport providers are poised to demonstrate the reliability of regional road and vehicle networks. Despite the optimism, the path to hosting CHAN 2024 has not been without its challenges. 

Kenya’s previous unsuccessful bids to host the 1996 AFCON and the 2018 CHAN raised questions about the region’s organisational capacity and political resolve. However, the successful launch of CHAN 2024 marks a turning point, demonstrating a tangible commitment to overcoming these obstacles. At a recent event organised by the Ministry of Sports and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya affirmed, “This time it is possible and we are hosting,” comparing the achievement to wildebeests crossing the crocodile-infested River Mara, symbolising triumph over adversity.

Kenya’s history of hosting major sporting events lends credence to this achievement. In 1987, the country hosted the All Africa Games, now known as the African Championships, at the newly constructed Moi International Sports Centre. Designed to resemble a lotus flower, the stadium became a symbol of national pride when tens of thousands watched Harambee Stars reach the final, only to be defeated 1-0 by Egypt. Former player James Nandwa recalled that Chinese engineers expressed concerns about the stadium's structural integrity under the weight of 100,000 jubilant fans, reflecting the intense passion of Kenyan supporters.

Since then, Kasarani has remained central to Kenya’s sporting identity, hosting the 2017 World Athletics Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships. Kenya has also hosted a range of other continental and global events, including the 1985 African Cross Country Athletics Championships, the 2012 African Swimming Championships, and the 2021 African Weightlifting Championships.

However, CHAN 2024 represents a new level of achievement. The tournament's stature has grown significantly, now ranking among Africa’s most prestigious football competitions. The prize money reflects this evolution: the winning team will receive $3.5 million (approximately KSh455 million), a considerable increase from prior years. Morocco earned $1.25 million for its 2020 victory, and Senegal took home $2 million in 2022. Only the CAF Champions League and AFCON offer greater financial incentives, at $4 million and $7 million, respectively.