Nyayo Stadium has been given the go-ahead to host the African Nations Championship (Chan) planned for next month.
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) issued an update on Wednesday, confirming the facility had been approved as a match-day venue after passing its inspection.
Caf went on to say that the contractor is finishing up Moi Stadium in Kasarani, whose construction is also anticipated to be completed by the deadline.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are co-hosting the tournament and the games will be held at the 30,000-seat stadium.
“Kenya’s 30,000-capacity Nyayo Stadium has passed Caf inspection! It’s set to be a match day venue for #Chan2025 as Kenya co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania,” CAF announced on X, formerly Twitter.
The Cairo-based organisation also underscored the continuous endeavours to guarantee that Kasarani Stadium is prepared for the competition.
“No sleep for contractors at Kasarani Stadium! With #Chan2025 kicking off next month and the draw happening next week in Nairobi, it’s a race against time. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are gearing up to cohost an unforgettable tournament!” CAF wrote on X.
In the meantime, the Chan tournament’s prize money has increased significantly.
With a 75 per cent increase, the winner will get US$3.5 million (Sh451 million).
A 32 per cent increase has been made to the tournament’s total prize pool, which now stands at US$ 10.4 million (Sh1.342 billion).
“We are thrilled about the 2024 Caf African Nations Championship (Chan) in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and have raised the winner’s prize money to US$3.5 million, a 75 per cent increase,” Caf President Patrice Motsepe stated.
“Additionally, we have raised the total prize money for the Chan Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 competition by 32 per cent to US$10.4 million.”
The Chan will greatly increase the international competitiveness of Caf and African football competitions and is a crucial competition for the development and advancement of young, gifted football players based in Africa.
“We are investing in African football and trying to make it appealing to football fans, TV viewers, sponsors, partners and other stakeholders in Africa and around the world,” Motsepe continued.
Kenya’s commitment to hosting
the tournament, which starts in
February, was reiterated by President
William Ruto in December 2024.
