By Victor Kanayo
It has now emerged that three African countries – Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will be the co-hosts for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), and 2027 African Nations Cup.
The confirmation to this effect will be done after successful stadium inspections.
This was disclosed by the President of the Council of East and Central African Football Associations Wallace Karia.
He was quoted as saying, “Next year in September, we’ve been given the CHAN hosting rights in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. “We will ask CAF to group all the four teams of CECAFA in the draw to create the competition between us.”
In October, the Kenyan government approved plans to host the 16-team tournament, reserved for players who are playing in their domestic leagues, but Karia, who is also the President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), said the event will now be spread out within the larger east African region.
Karia announced the news during the Tanzania Football Federation’s annual general meeting, emphasising the joint bid’s significance and expressing plans to group all four teams from Cecafa in the tournament draw.
The 2022 CHAN, initially scheduled for 2020, was held in Algeria earlier this year, accommodating 17 teams after Morocco’s withdrawal due to a dispute over travel arrangements.
Nigeria was among top football Nations that missed the competition due to non-qualification.
The tournament is exclusive to players competing in their domestic leagues, with Senegal clinching the championship title in February, 2023.
The decision for the East African nations to jointly host CHAN next year comes after the trio were awarded the rights to organise the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations earlier in September.
This historic collaboration marks the first time three nations will unite to host the continental tournaments.
