CHAN 2024: What Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums Say About Kenya’s Pride as Host Nation

In a week’s time, Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadiums, Kenya’s two main sporting facilities will be the centre of attraction as the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) takes place.

Kenya will join neighbours Uganda and Tanzania in hosting the continental tournament from August 2-30, 2025 and the new-look Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums will be the host venues for all Group A matches that involve the Harambee Stars, Morocco, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia.

Thanks to the commitment of the Kenyan government, under the leadership of President William Ruto, Kasarani and Nyayo have undergone major upgrades that have lifted them to international standards and both venues were handed over to CAF just in time for the tournament.

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Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums are more than just sporting facilities as they have symbolic and cultural significance.

Opened in 1987, just in time for the 4th All Africa Games staged in Kenya that year, the 60,000-seater multi-purpose Kasarani Stadium is an iconic facility whose design was inspired by a flower petal opening up to receive all the nationals taking part in the games.

With the CHAN 2024 clarion call being “Africa Is Coming Home – Let’s Show Up for It,” Kasarani is certainly ready to receive the whole of Africa that will descend on Kenya for the tournament.

Similarly, Nyayo Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 30,000 fans and was Kenya’s first-ever real sports complex constructed in 1983. It was named after President Daniel Moi’s “Nyayo” philosophy (of Love, peace, and unity amongst Kenyans) and designed by architect and politician George Nyanja on the president’s orders in a bid to position Kenya as a powerhouse to host regional and international events.

The two stadiums have been undergoing refurbishments since they were built but none of it comes closer to the upgrades done ahead of CHAN 2024.

Having been closed in 2023, the Kenyan government has left no stone unturned in a bid to ensure Kasarani and Nyayo meet all the requirements set by CAF to host CHAN 2024 matches and the two facilities are now classified as Category Four, the highest possible designation under CAF’s stadium rating system.

At Kasarani and Nyayo, the upgrades started with the playing surfaces as both venues now feature pitches with dimensions within the CAF standard range (100 to 110 metres in length and 64 to 75 metres in width), with dedicated warm-up areas alongside the main field.

The playing surface has been leveled and fitted with effective drainage and sprinkler systems and grass length is now maintained between 20 to 30 millimetres with essential components such as regulation-sized goalposts, corner flags, player tunnels, and fully covered substitute benches have also been installed.

Both venues now boast advanced floodlight systems delivering a minimum illumination of 1200 lux, and power redundancy through main lines, standby generators, and dedicated backup for LED advertising panels.

Each stadium now houses four spacious and ventilated dressing rooms for teams and two for match officials and they come fully equipped with showers, individual toilets and urinals, massage tables, refrigerators, tactical boards, televisions, lockers for 25 players, and hot and cold water systems.

In the stands, seats have been installed around the pitch, with classifications ranging from regular to VIP, VVIP, and the Presidential Box.

Completing the world class upgrades at Nyayo and Kasarani is the arrival of VAR and goal-line technology in Kenya which not only corrects officiating errors but signals the country’s alignment with global football standards.

Kasarani and Nyayo will host all Group A matches with the latter also set to stage the final game of the tournament, bringing the carnival mood to Kenya.

At Kasarani, Harambee Stars matches will be staged, starting with Kenya vs DR Congo (August 3), Angola vs Kenya (August 7), Kenya vs Morocco (August 10), Angola vs DR Congo (August 14) and ending with Zambia vs Kenya (August 17).

At Nyayo, the rest of Group A matches will be staged, being; Morocco vs Angola (August 3), DR Congo vs Zambia (August 7), Zambia vs Angola (August 10), Morocco vs Zambia (August 14) and DR Congo vs Morocco (August 17).

In the Harambee spirit, which emphasizes the need to come together to achieve a common goal, Kenyans are ready to welcome the whole of Africa for a great spectacle that will celebrate the uniqueness of African football as well as different cultures.

Kenya has prepared the best infrastructure, accommodation and pulled all stops to ensure fans are not only safe but enjoy every bit of their stay in the country during the month-long tournament.

To Kenyans, it is your turn to show patriotism by filling the stadium, tickets are going for as low as Ksh200, to support Harambee Stars as they cannot do it alone.

The impact of the 12th man cannot be overemphasized and there is no better time to show that than when #AfricaIsComingHome for CHAN 2024.