Tanzania has officially confirmed its complete readiness to host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament that will spotlight home-based talent from across the continent.
The announcement comes as the country wraps up its infrastructural and logistical preparations, just weeks ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on August 2, 2025.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with local media, Gerson Msigwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, and also Tanzania’s Chief Government Spokesperson, assured that all required facilities have been finalized in line with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
“We are now in top gear as most of the essential infrastructure features are ready. The remaining work is just final touches, which are not major. When it comes to pitches, training grounds, and other aspects highlighted in CAF’s inspection directives to Tanzania, all has been completed,” Msigwa said.
The tournament will be staged primarily at two main venues; the iconic Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the newly renovated New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.
These stadiums, Msigwa emphasized, have undergone extensive upgrades and now meet all international specifications for hosting competitive football events.
Beyond the match venues, the supporting infrastructure is also ready. Msigwa confirmed that three designated training sites, the Law School of Tanzania grounds, Major Isamuhyo ground, and Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club, have all been completed and cleared for use by participating teams.
“There is also a CAF supervisor already in the country, monitoring our preparations and providing feedback. I can confidently say that we are 100 percent ready,” he affirmed.
CAF’s inspection covered more than just playing fields. The comprehensive review included medical readiness, accommodation standards, and logistical systems, all of which Msigwa says Tanzania has fulfilled.
“When CAF came for inspection, they looked into many areas including hotels for teams and officials, medical facilities, and general logistics. I can say with confidence that we are in a very good position medically, and our hotels are ready. We’re now just waiting for the tournament to kick off,” he added.
The 2024 edition of CHAN is historic, as it will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, the first time three East African nations have co-organized a CAF competition. Hosting this tournament marks a major milestone in Tanzania’s sporting journey and is expected to boost tourism, create economic opportunities, and solidify the country’s growing influence in regional football.
