Kenya’s visa-free entry, hospitality hailed as stakeholders reflect on CHAN 2024 experience
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Reading Time: 4min | Sun. 31.08.25. | 08:02
For Mohammed Chadi, a Moroccan fan, he took pride in the fact that their 2022 heartbreak was healed in Nairobi.
Kenya has been lauded for making it easier for the football community to enjoy the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as stakeholders shared their experiences of the tournament.
After a month-long battle and tussle, the curtains of the 2024 CHAN were drawn on Saturday, 30 August, and fans expressed their takeaways from the tournament.
The biennial continental tourney was co-hosted by three East African nations: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, jointly dubbed PAMOJA – a Swahili word for togetherness.
This was also the first time that the region was hosting a major continental tournament in about four decades, making it even more significant.
Further, the Kenyan national team, Harambee Stars, were competing in the biennial tourney for the first time in history, making it even more memorable.
Despite being their first time, Kenya made a remarkable mark in the tournament – emerging as winners in the group of death that included Morocco, Angola, Zambia, and DR Congo.
Unfortunately, Harambee Stars were unable to go past the quarter-final after they suffered a 3-4 post-match penalty defeat against Madagascar following a 1-1 draw in both regular and extra time.
In the end, Morocco won the 2024 CHAN with a 3-2 victory over Madagascar in a final match played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Saturday, 30 August.
With the tournament attracting fans and stakeholders from all over the continent, Mozzart Sport sampled their views as compiled in this article.
Renowned African sports journalist Mamadou Gaye also took time to share the unique experience that stood out for Kenya.
“This was largely a successful tournament. I want to congratulate Kenya in particular for making it VISA-free for Africans coming to cover the tournament.
The same cannot be said of Uganda and Tanzania, who required us to apply for a VISA despite having a letter from CAF, making it a little difficult for us, and for that I give them a yellow card,” said Mamadou.
The Ivorian scribe spoke during a press conference by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino after a CAF National Executive Committee meeting at a Nairobi hotel, hours before the final.
For Winnie Ndakoloki, a sports journalist from DR Congo, she shared her assessment of the CHAN PAMOJA as compared to previous editions.
“This was my second edition covering the tournament. I was also there in Morocco. I have to say I have really enjoyed this one. Kenyans are more hospitable, and the fan experience has been amazing.
I just felt so disappointed that we (DR Congo) exited the tournament at the group stage. I had high hopes that we would go far.
Nonetheless, I also laud the organization by CAF, and I have no doubt that the AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) in Morocco will be even much better,” she stated.
Mozzart Sport also caught up with Angela Nasirumbi – a Kenyan fan who shared her experience of the biennial tournament.
“I have learnt so much about CHAN and football in general with this tournament. I think as a country, we had never known the importance of it because we had never competed in it.
I realized this is such a huge tournament and with so much organization. I have never been to such an organized sporting event.
With these experiences, I am sure, just like myself, Kenyans are going to give more attention to CHAN going forward. We need to ensure that we compete more often in such tournaments,” stated Nasirumbi.
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For Mohammed Chadi, a Moroccan fan, he took pride in the fact that their 2022 heartbreak was healed in Nairobi.
“When we hosted the last edition, we painfully lost to Senegal in the final, which was really heartbreaking. While winning it on home soil would be more significant, I am happy that we wiped our tears with this title.
I was pleasantly surprised with the support we received from Kenyans, and that helped our team. It felt like a home far away from home,” he stated.
For Edwin Omollo, he viewed the tournament as a turning point in Kenyan football.
“From what I have seen, I see no reason as to why we have not been qualifying for CHAN. Harambee Stars proved that we have the quality to be regulars in this competition.
I am sure that having competed in this, the players will take CHAN qualification more seriously going forward.”
On his part, Kenyan President William Ruto appreciated the organizers and said the tournament was more than sports but a show of unity in the African continent.
“We appreciate all the teams, officials, and organisers who worked tirelessly to make this tournament a success.
We take to heart the lessons of co-hosting this tournament, and we will use them to sharpen our preparation for AFCON 2027.
Beyond the competition, CHAN 2024 has affirmed the spirit of Pan-Africanism. It has showcased the unity, resilience, and immense talent of our continent.
From North to South, East to West, Africa’s sons and daughters displayed not only footballing brilliance but also the bonds that tie us together as one people. This celebration of African excellence reminds us that our future is brightest when we stand together,” reads a post by Ruto on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
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