Kenyan soccer team Harambee Stars must seize the opportunity to bring joy to their country's citizens.
In August 2024, Kenya will co-host the African Nations Championships (CHAN) alongside Tanzania and Uganda. The tournament, running from the 2nd to the 30th of August, promises to be an exciting event for football enthusiasts across the continent.
However, strict rules have been put in place to maintain security and safety within the stadia. Fans are prohibited from bringing vuvuzelas, whistles, loudspeakers, megaphones, drums, and political or offensive banners targeting political, religious, or personal identities. Food purchased outside the stadiums is also banned unless for medical needs or infants. These regulations apply uniformly across all venues in the three host countries.
Ticketing for the CHAN 2024 tournament is managed exclusively online by CAF, with no physical tickets issued. Fans must purchase tickets through the official CAF website or via QR codes, selecting the preferred country and match before booking.
The razzmatazz that usually accompanies such tournaments will be missing in action this time round, as pets are not allowed at the stadia. Instead, fans donning jerseys of their favourite players or preferred countries, especially those of Kenya, DR Congo, Angola, Morocco, and Zambia, will be a normal trend. Kenyan towns, especially Nairobi, will be like a small United Nations during the tournament, with miniature flags of the 19 teams being a common sight.
The Nairobi Traffic Department has issued a traffic advisory for CHAN 2024, closing some key roads around Nairobi. Vehicles from Lang'ata Road will use Raila Odinga Road or Muhoho Road at the Mbagathi Roundabout. Affected roads include Aerodrome Road, Lang'ata Road, and Mombasa Road. Vehicles from Mombasa Road heading to the CBD will be expected to use Likoni Road-Enterprise Road through General Motors or the Southern Bypass at Ole Sereni. Traffic from Nairobi CBD to Thika will use Limuru Road or Kiambu Road.
Fans attending matches at Kasarani Stadium will be expected to use Ruaraka Baba Dogo Road and Ngomongo Road to access the Ngomongo Roundabout, while those from Thika Road will use the Eastern Bypass, Kiambu Road, or Limuru Road.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy is calm and collected ahead of the opening Group A match against DR Congo. Winning is the only option for Harambee Stars in their opening match, as they aim to make a good impression during the tournament. However, McCarthy is missing several key players for the match. DR Congo, one of the tournament's favourites, will present a formidable challenge.
Despite concerns over past incidents of political protests at sporting events, the organisers need to host a successful tournament to ensure public goodwill. Kenyans are eager to make a good impression during the CHAN 2024 tournament, and the public's support may not be at the expected levels. Nevertheless, many Kenyans are glad that the tournament has come, as it will benefit hotels, bars, food vendors, matatus, boda boda riders, and other businesses.
An opening ceremony was held yesterday inside the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The tournament promises to be an exciting event, with fans, organisers, and players all looking forward to the action-packed three weeks ahead.
Sports enthusiasts can purchase tickets for the African Nations Championships (CHAN) 2024 online, as no physical tickets will be issued. The tournament, featuring countries like Kenya, DR Congo, Angola, Morocco, and Zambia, will also attract businesses such as hotels, bars, food vendors, matatus, and boda bodas during the event. Meanwhile, football fans are advised to follow strict rules within the stadia and avoid bringing items like vuvuzelas, political banners, and food purchased outside the stadiums.
