Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania learn dates for 2024 CHAN tournament

After a pretty long wait, it is now official that the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will be held from Saturday 1 to Friday 28 February 2025 in three countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The recent update was confirmed by FUFA Executive Committee Member Rogers Byamukama on Thursday, who noted that CAF had granted hosting rights to the three East African nations, following recent inspection visits held earlier this year.

“As everybody is aware, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania were granted rights to host the AFCON 2027,” he said.

“As part of an attempt to win that bid, the three Governments and Federations on the Pamoja Bid requested CAF permission to host CHAN as a preparatory competition for the Africa Cup of Nations, and indeed CAF did grant those rights having conducted a number of inspection visits to check our preparedness.

“The information that we have is that CHAN will be happening and the three East African Pamoja countries will be given those rights to host.”

And whilst the “unofficial news” offers a reprieve to a nation that failed to secure CHAN bids in 1996 and 2018, they also come at a time when Kenya has closed down two of its stadiums - Nyayo and Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani - for renovations.

The two stadia, as per FKF, were the two facilities inspected by CAF in March and August this year, with Nyayo poised to be a probable venue for the CHAN group matches.

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In addition, FKF, in a communique sent to clubs prior to the current season, indicated that other grounds, including Kasarani Annex, Police Sacco Stadium, and Ulinzi Sports Complex will be “potential training venues” for the tournament.

No clear timeline has been offered on when the desired renovations at Nyayo Stadium will be complete, given that Gor Mahia and Kenya Police FC have been granted access to the facility for their CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup second preliminary round matches.

As for Uganda, the Nelson Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) has been proposed as a venue, with Tanzania going for Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

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