Too many games “not good for football” – Africa coach Motsepe

Last weekend, Motsepe toured facilities in Kenya before confirming on Monday that the country will be one of three co-hosts of the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament for African players competing in their own national leagues.

The neighboring countries Tanzania and Uganda will also host the finals. The three countries are thus continuing to prepare for the joint hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027. The tournament will then take place in East Africa for the first time in over four decades.

Although Kenya does not currently have a stadium deemed suitable to host matches, Motsepe says President William Ruto has assured him that the country, which lost the rights to host the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 CHAN due to poor preparation, will be ready.

“I trust President Ruto, I trust the President of Tanzania, I trust the President of Uganda,” said the 62-year-old. “When you look into people’s eyes, you can see the passion.”

“I’m going back [to Kenya] in December to ensure that the excellent guarantees given to me were implemented.”

Kenya is renovating two new stadiums in the run-up to CHAN – the Moi International Sports Centre (60,000 spectators) and the Nyayo Stadium (15,000) – while simultaneously building the Talanta Sports City Stadium (60,000 spectators) for Afcon 2027.

“A lot is already being done,” said Motsepe, who toured Kenya’s stadiums on Sunday. “I saw a lot of excellent renovation and modernization work.”

After being closed for renovations in 2019, Namboole Stadium has been hosting matches since May. Uganda is currently building another Nations Cup stadium in Hoima, while Tanzania, which is also building new arenas, already has the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The countries will host the CHAN from 1 to 28 February.