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Mohammed's first task will be to ensure Kenya meets the threshold needed to be ready to co-host the 2024 CHAN next February, with the deadline by CAF set at December 31st.
Newly-elected Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has vowed to ensure Kenya meets the stringent requirements to co-host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The tournament, scheduled for February, will be a joint effort with Tanzania and Uganda. However, concerns loom over Kenya’s preparedness, with key facilities still far from completion.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set a December 31 deadline for the completion of the Moi International Sports Centre (Kasarani) and Nyayo Stadium. Recent inspections by CAF officials painted a bleak picture, with work reportedly “significantly behind schedule.”
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CAF’s inspection team reviewed Kasarani, a 60,000-seater stadium, and Nyayo Stadium, which holds 30,000 fans. The team raised alarms over incomplete canopies, non-functional sound systems, and moisture problems on the pitches.
“On average, the work at Kasarani is 71% complete. It needs to get to 100% by December 31,” a CAF source revealed. Notably, Kasarani’s canopy is only 40% finished, while the sound system is at a meager 10%.
At Nyayo, inspectors flagged ongoing floodlight installations and persistent pitch moisture as critical issues.
Despite these setbacks, government officials have expressed optimism. Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently inspected the facilities and assured the public that renovations are on track.
“I am confident that with the contractor implementing a 24-hour work schedule, the facelift will be completed within the set deadlines,” Murkomen stated on his X account.
Mohammed, fresh off a decisive election victory, acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead. “We have to settle in very quickly. The new team has to take the bull by the horns,” he remarked to the media on Saturday.
Kenya’s previous attempt to host CHAN in 2018 ended in failure, with CAF stripping the country of hosting rights due to similar delays. Mohammed is determined to avoid a repeat, pledging collaboration with government stakeholders and potential partners to meet CAF’s expectations.
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20:50 - 07.12.2024
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Otieno conceded defeat as the second round of the presidential election was going on, rendering the result a formality, and it now means Hussein Mohammed will be the new FKF President.
“Every Kenyan is anxious to see if we can meet the deadlines. I’m very confident that the government is committed, and my team will move with speed to ensure preparations are put in place early enough,” Mohammed assured.
With time running out, the new FKF administration faces a race against the clock to deliver on its promise and avoid another hosting embarrassment. Whether Kenya can rise to the occasion remains to be seen.
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