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Relief as Kenya is cleared to host Chan 2018 after initial doubts


Kenya’s preparations to host the 2018 Africa Nations Championship have been given a thumbs up by the Confederation of African Football.

This was confirmed in a communique from the continental body on Tuesday after a meeting of its Executive Committe that was chaired by President Issa Hayatou in Addis Ababa.

“Significant progress has been made on the ground and there is a strong government commitment to host the competition and make it a success. This comes after the inspection mission to Kenya from February 20 to 24, led by CAF First Vice President, Suketu Patel. The inspection team visited the various sites, including Nairobi, with two stadiums, Eldoret, Meru and Machakos,” the statement said.

This development puts to bed suggestions that Kenya could lose the hosting rights for the three-week 16-nation football tournament  scheduled to be staged early next year.

Already, the Kenyan government has closed the Nyayo and Kasarani stadia in Nairobi to enable renovations forcing the SportPesa Premier League matches to be shifted upcountry.

Construction works are also ongoing in Meru and Eldoret stadia.