CAF pressured to push February begin of CHAN again to an August kick-off

January 15 – The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been postponed till summer season, simply weeks earlier than the event was on account of kick off in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) has introduced.

In a press release on Tuesday, CAF acknowledged the “good progress” within the three host international locations “with the development and upgrading of stadiums, coaching fields, motels, hospitals and different infrastructure and services” however wrote that consultants suggested “extra time is required” to make sure the infrastructure and services for the finals are “on the ranges obligatory”.

The event was scheduled to happen February 1-28, however CAF has moved the finals to August with actual dates nonetheless to be introduced. On Wednesday, the draw for the CHAN will happen as deliberate in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

“I’m assured that the stadiums, different infrastructure and services will likely be on the requisite Caf requirements for internet hosting, in August 2025, a really profitable CHAN,” mentioned CAF president Patrice Motsepe.

Final December, Kenya had as soon as once more dedicated to co-hosting the event which options solely home-based gamers following an inspection of services. The nation was to offer two venues for the competitors – the Nyayo Nationwide Stadium and Kasarani Stadium. Neither stadium meets CAF necessities. Motsepe had travelled to Kenya for a gathering with the nation’s president William Ruto in a bid to hurry up preparations.

Kenya has had a chequered previous in staging main soccer finals. In 1996, the Kenyans had been on account of organise the Africa Cup of Nations however have been stripped of the internet hosting rights after the federal government declared the nation was not prepared. In 2017, Kenya additionally misplaced the suitable to host CHAN.

The postponement comes as a brand new embarrassment to African soccer: CAF has needed to repeatedly postpone its flagship competitions and Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are to stage the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, the primary time three international locations will function co-hosts. The CHAN is to function a gown rehearsal for organisers.

Contact the author of this story at moc.l1736955623labto1736955623ofdlr1736955623owedi1736955623sni@i1736955623tnuk.1736955623ardni1736955623mas1736955623