CAF boss Motsepe tours East Africa as Kenya races against time to prepare for CHAN

The CAF boss will start his inspection tour in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Thursday before visiting Nairobi on Friday morning, then fly out to Kampala, Uganda, to conclude his two-day tour of duty.

“During his visit, Dr Motsepe will meet Governments, Football Leadership and Local Organising Committees from the three countries. The schedule of activities and meetings includes visits to the stadiums and training sites that are currently undergoing renovations ahead of next year’s competition,” a statement from CAF reads.

His visit follows second inspection tour of the three host nations conducted by a CAF delegation in November where the various stadiums, training sites, hotels, airports and other facilities were inspected.

Kenya is racing against time to have Moi Sports Centre Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium ready by December 31.

The Ministry of Sports had earlier committed to have Kasarani ready by the end of November but the deadline was not met.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen earlier this month unveiled the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for championship and remained confident Kenya would not be stripped of the hosting rights.

The committee will comprise of 31 members, headed by former CECAFA supremo Nicholas Musonye, and will act as a watchdog on the ongoing renovations at the Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums.

"To the LOC, you are under pressure since the country is relying on you now. We expect you to work as a team,” said Murkomen during the unveiling ceremony.

“With the deadlines that CAF has issued, I assure Kenyans that we will be ready to host the CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027.”

It will be the first time three countries jointly host CHAN, a tournament reserved for players who feature in their national domestic leagues across the continent.

The second-tier competition is considered as a dress rehearsal for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda before the trio become the first three-way hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2027.