CAF president hails CHAN as a driver for football development in East Africa
Motsepe expressed deep appreciation for President William Ruto and his counterparts in Uganda and Tanzania for their investment and leadership.
Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe. Photo/IPP Media.
By Robert Assad
Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe has praised the jointly hosted East African Nations Championship (CHAN) as a catalyst for growth in regional football, infrastructure, youth development and economic progress.
Motsepe, addressing stakeholders in Nairobi during CAF’s Executive Committee meetings, declared the tri-nation CHAN—co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda—as “the most successful in the history of the competition” both on and off the field.
He noted that the competition provides invaluable exposure for local-based players, saying, “CHAN is an excellent opportunity for Africa‑based players. It is a perfect place to groom tomorrow’s winners of AFCON.”
Motsepe added, “The CHAN tournament … represents the best of football in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, East Africa, and North Africa. Ticket sales will be incredibly exciting, and this is part of a long‑term investment and long‑term strategy to develop and grow African football.”
During on-site inspections, CAF officials toured renovation efforts at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo Stadium and Talanta Sports City in Nairobi. Motsepe expressed deep appreciation for President William Ruto and his counterparts in Uganda and Tanzania for their investment and leadership.
Though CAF noted substantial progress, Motsepe acknowledged that work remains, especially on infrastructure upgrades and pitch standards, with deadlines slated for December ahead of the tournament’s eventual shift from February to August 2025.
Beyond CHAN, Motsepe reaffirmed his commitment to CAF’s broader agenda to invest heavily in football infrastructure across Africa. As part of a vision uniting sport with economic development, he urged continental governments to view stadiums and training facilities as engines for trade, youth employment and regional cohesion.
Overall, Motsepe’s message framed CHAN not merely as a tournament, but as a strategic platform for nurturing African-based talent, inspiring regional unity, and laying groundwork for AFCON 2027—another landmark event the East African trio will co-host.
This CHAN launch, he said, is a shared investment in football and futures.
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