Musonye: Kenya ready for CHAN 2024 after years of setbacks

Kenya is finally ready to deliver on a promise it has failed to fulfill twice before—hosting a major continental football tournament.

With the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) just weeks away, Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman Nicholas Musonye has declared the country fully prepared to host, following major infrastructure upgrades, a green light from CAF, and the rollout of affordable ticket prices aimed at packing stadiums.

“A lot has been done, in particular the infrastructure which has been a challenge to us since 1996 when we were given the opportunity to host AFCON, and in 2018 when we were given a chance to organise CHAN,” Musonye recalled. “We were not able to do it because there was no infrastructure. Now the government has done it.”

The LOC chairman praised the state for its investment and political goodwill, noting that both Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums have undergone transformations so dramatic that they’ll appear brand new to fans and visiting teams.

“People who come and play in Kenya will be very surprised that they are playing in venues that were never there before. People will think they are new but it’s just renovations,” Musonye said.

CAF inspectors recently spent three days in Nairobi inspecting the stadiums and holding capacity-building workshops with LOC committees, a step Musonye said was crucial for a generation of organisers who weren’t even born during Kenya’s last major event, the 1987 All-Africa Games.

“We had that capacity-building workshop, which was done by CAF and it went very well. Now we are very confident that we shall organise CHAN from August 3rd when we play our first match at Kasarani.”

As part of efforts to make CHAN 2024 accessible to all Kenyans, the LOC announced ticket prices that reflect the economic reality of ordinary citizens.

“We didn’t want to make it very high,” Musonye said. “We understand the economy and we want people to come in large numbers.”

Ticket prices have been confirmed as follows: Sh200 for Terraces, Sh500 for VIP, and Sh1,000 for VVIP. Ticket sales are expected to go live on July 15.

However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to confirm the official ticketing platforms and pricing structure. Fans are advised to await further communication from CAF.

Tickets will be sold exclusively online and will be valid for only one match, with daily double headers set for Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium.

“We are working with police traffic to ensure fans can move between venues. When you play at Kasarani at 3 o’clock, at 6 o’clock you are here at Nyayo,” he added.

Musonye also issued an appeal, urging Kenyans to turn up in numbers, enjoy the matches, and embrace the spirit of unity.

“We want our youth to come and enjoy football. This is the only platform to show our unity of purpose as a country. Kenya is a country of diverse cultures, but we have been held together because of the spirit of Harambee.”

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• Musonye: Kenya ready for CHAN 2024 after years of setbacks
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He stressed that this is more than a football tournament, it’s a chance for the country to redefine itself on the continental stage, prove it can host large-scale events, and pave the way for AFCON 2027, which Kenya is also slated to co-host.

“It’s a rare opportunity. We want the youth, the old people, men and women to come and enjoy this competition and be part of it, to leave a legacy behind.”

Now, with infrastructure complete, committees active, and tickets accessible, all that’s left is for Kenyans to show up in the stands, in spirit, and in full voice.

“We’ve failed before. But not this time,” Musonye said. “This time, it is going to happen.”