CAF President Patrice Motsepe has heaped praise on the three East African nations following what he described as the most successful African Nations Championship (CHAN) in the history of the competition.
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda hosted the CHAN 2024, a first of its kind to be hosted by three nations. The East African nations will also host the continent’s coveted football competition, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), in 2027.
The CAF head was elated by East Africa’s commitment to the competition. The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) took place from 2nd to 30th August, following delays in facilities that forced its postponement to this year.
“I want to thank the Presidents and the people of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for staging what has been the most successful edition of the CHAN in the history of the competition.
“There has been great attendance in the stadiums as well as in the fan parks and it has been absolutely clear that the quality of African football has been improving and becoming world-class,” said Motsepe.
Motsepe hinted at the success as one of CAF’s commitments to the clubs and players to make sure that African competitions are world-class.
“The first thing I got when I became the President, I was told to cancel the CHAN competition, saying it was losing money, it was a failure and there was no interest.
“But there are nations we want to focus on to compete at the world level. Others do not have the resources and the backing and finances to compete at that world level, but they are as important to CAF as the big ones are.
“That’s why I am so excited that this competition has been a success, and that is why we have increased the prize money and others,” he added.
Motsepe further believes that the tournament leaves a vivid legacy for the people of East Africa.
“There has been a showcase of infrastructural development, the quality of football and the attendance in stadiums as well as viewership worldwide.
“There has been enormous commercial interests. The Kenyan football President told me there is abnormal engagement from the private sector to sponsor football leagues as a result of the competition,” said the CAF President.
The FIFA President Gianni Infantino also extended his appreciation to CAF.
“I congratulate CAF and the host countries for an excellent tournament. We are all CAF. We are all Fifa. We are all football. We are all united,” he asserted
The concluded tournament was the eighth edition of the competition that started in 2009, which offers an opportunity for home-based players to showcase themselves on the continental and global stage.
This year’s hosts could only make the quarterfinals of the competition.
The final, played in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, saw Morocco edge Madagascar 3-2 in a scintillating contest. Senegal beat Sudan in spot kicks to take third place.