When Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania came together to bid for the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), it was a bold statement of intent by the three nations to re-imagine what African football could look like when we collaborate, invest and dream together. That promise has been kept.
Across the region, stadia have undergone major transformations, having been refurbished to international standards. From the renowned Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, to the nostalgic Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala. These stadia, once symbols of past glory, have been restored into arenas where new African football stories are being written.
As Africa’s pioneer tri-nation Chan hosting, the continental experiment has proved an overwhelming success. The collaboration demonstrates that East Africa, long considered a sleeping giant of African football, could organise and deliver an expert experience uniting millions across the continent and across the globe.
The intense logistical coordination—across governments, federations, organisers and communities—was nothing short of historic. Ultimately, a sense of shared ownership and true kinship was cultivated. What looked like an ambitious dream has now become a model for future continental tournaments.
If there was one undeniable champion of Chan 2024, it was the fans. Kenya emerged as the heartbeat of the tournament. In Kasarani, crowds thundered as Harambee Stars entered the field. At Nyayo Stadium, stands pulsed with rhythm and colour. Beyond the stadium walls, official fan zones in areas such as Babadogo, central business district, estates and bars brought the excitement closer to communities in a vibrant way never experienced before.
These fan zones were a testament to how sport can power social cohesion, with local businesses, boda boda riders, and informal sectors coming together. The synergy was palpable, with people creating entertainment, mobile toilets and screens for match viewing, while vendors proudly painted their faces in national colours, and children, whose parents could not afford stadium tickets, experienced Chan in safe spaces.
With Harambee Stars taking on all challenges, the famous “12th Man Army” of Kenyan support embodied the spirit and resilience of a nation. From the group of death to the knockout stages, they roared with unwavering passion. Their colour, beat and rhythm became the soundscape of Chan 2024. What began as just football became an extraordinary celebration of culture, identity and shared destiny.
Indeed, Chan 2024 has been a showcase of African talent. Unlike the African Cup of Nations (Afcon), Chan is a platform for players based in their home countries’ leagues, making it a powerful launch pad for emerging stars from local and grassroots clubs.
Kenya, making its debut in the knockout stages, captured the imagination of millions, and rightly so. From the confident escapes and topping the so-called “Group of death” to the dramatic quarter-final against Madagascar at Kasarani, Harambee Stars showed that local football has the grit and quality to compete with the continent’s best. For our neighbours, Uganda and Tanzania, the roar of home fans lit up their games, proving continental giants through resilience and fierce competition.
Every match has been more than just a contest; it has been a story of a nation’s passion, that football’s community and identity, and a reminder that sports remains Africa’s most unifying heartbeat.
From infrastructure to the pitch, Kenya has risen to the occasion. Hosting the historic Madagascar quarter-final in Nairobi was a masterclass in event management. Security was layered and family-friendly ensuring safety without intimidation. Broadcast deals ensured Chan reached living rooms from Mombasa to Marrakech, from Lagos to Lusaka.
Local communities were not left behind. Hundreds of marshals and stewards—many recruited directly from the slums—ensured match day operations worked seamlessly. Businesses around the zones blossomed with the event, creating jobs while vendors and entertainers created safe, vibrant fan hubs. It was grassroots involvement that helped to transport supporters—proving that football tournaments are as much about community spirit as they are about sport.
For the first time, Kenya was considered an uncontested African host. As a continent and as a region, Chan 2024 has redefined how African football can be experienced, managed and celebrated. What seemed impossible a decade ago now feels natural. East Africa has earned its place as a serious player on the continental football map.
Looking ahead, the African Super League and expanded Afcon 2027—set to be hosted in East Africa—will build on the Chan legacy. Success at Chan has paved the way for even bigger dreams.
On August 22, when fans streamed into Moi Avenue, it was clear: Chan was not just a tournament. It was a cultural celebration, a festival of Africa for Africans, and a showcase to the world that East Africa is ready. From the refurbished Kasarani, Nyayo, Mkapa and Mandela stadiums, to the fan parks and streets, Chan 2024 will be remembered as the tournament that restored pride and unity to our region.
Raymond Omollo is the principal secretary, State Department of Internal Security and National Administration.
original article appeared on daily nation
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