Why Kenya may fail to host opening clash of 2024 CHAN

Kenya may fail to host the opening game of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) which will kick off on August 2.

The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will now take place from August 2 to August 30, 2025, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially rescheduled the tournament. Originally set to kick off this weekend, the competition was pushed forward to give co-hosts Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania more time to finalize their preparations.

CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe confirmed the new tournament schedule following a CAF executive committee meeting in Rabat on Monday.

“The CAF Executive Committee also received an update on the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship… The competition will now kick off on Saturday, August 2, and the final will be played on August 30, 2025,” CAF stated.

While Kenya has been drawn in Group A, traditionally positioning it as the likely host for the opening match, recent remarks by Dr. Motsepe suggest that the curtain-raiser may take place in Tanzania instead.

“I am here (Dar) for just two hours because of the importance of the deal with TotalEnergies. The next time I will see you will be here at the opening match for the 2024 CHAN tournament,” Motsepe hinted.

His statement has sparked speculation that the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam could be chosen over Nairobi to host the opening game, a move that would come as a major blow to Kenyan football fans anticipating a historic CHAN kickoff on home soil.

On Wednesday, January 29, Nicholas Musonye, Chairman of Kenya’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for CHAN 2024, and CEO Myke Rabar wrapped up their inspection tour of Dar es Salaam, expressing satisfaction with Tanzania’s readiness for the tournament.

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The two officials visited competition and training venues, including the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, and attended the CAF-TotalEnergies sponsorship extension signing at the Hyatt Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

“We are happy with the coordination between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in preparing for CHAN,” Musonye stated.“We have assessed Dar’s competition venue and training grounds, and I must say, if the tournament were still scheduled for February, we would have been ready. Now, it’s just about finishing touches and promotion.”

During their visit, Musonye and Rabar also attended the signing of a four-year sponsorship extension between CAF and French energy giant TotalEnergies.

TotalEnergies, which has been CAF’s title sponsor since 2016, will continue supporting 12 major African football tournaments from 2025 to 2028.

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CAF President Dr. Motsepe praised the partnership renewal, emphasizing the company’s impact on African football development.

“CAF is excited to continue its partnership with TotalEnergies and its Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné, whom I respect and have known for many years,” he said.

“This partnership contributes to the development and global competitiveness of football in the 54 African countries that are CAF members.”

TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné echoed similar sentiments.

“This extension allows us to keep celebrating African football alongside all stakeholders, customers, and employees, while sharing the commitment and passion of millions of Africans,” he noted.

With Dr. Motsepe hinting at an opening game in Dar es Salaam, Kenya’s role as a CHAN co-host comes into question. Traditionally, the host nation in Group A is granted the tournament’s first match, but this assumption is now uncertain.

CAF has yet to make an official announcement on the matter, but if Motsepe’s words hold, Kenya may have to settle for a different high-profile fixture instead of the tournament opener. Regardless of the final decision, CHAN 2024 is shaping up to be a historic event for East African football.