Tag: CHAN 2024 Finals

Final Day: Crowned in Kenya – The Night Africa Comes Home

Posted on by Kibaki Muthamia

The wait is over.

The drums, the songs, the colours – all roads lead to Kasarani, where Africa’s football story reaches its crescendo.

The CHAN 2024 Final isn’t just a game; it is the ultimate celebration of unity, discipline, and pride.

And tonight, one team will be Crowned in Kenya.

A Festival of Football

From the break of dawn, the Kasarani precincts have come alive.

Fans draped in red, green, black, and every shade of Africa’s football flags are pouring in, carrying songs, drums, and painted faces.

The stadium is more than a venue – it is a festival ground, where passion meets pageantry.

The fan zones across Nairobi mirror the same electricity.

In Baba Dogo, Mathare, Githurai, and beyond, giant screens beam the action live, creating waves of joy, chants, and dancing in neighbourhoods that breathe football.

For those who could not get a ticket, the spirit of CHAN has still found its way home.

Kenyan football fans driving the action on the Kasarani Stadium (Image: Files)

A Continental Stage, a Global Spotlight

It’s not just the fans watching.

The presence of CAF leadership, African heads of state, and continental dignitaries underscores the magnitude of this moment.

Nairobi isn’t just hosting a final – it is hosting Africa.

Every camera lens, every broadcast feed is beaming to millions across the globe, and Kasarani is the beating heart.

This is more than a championship. It is a coronation – one city, one night, one continent united in celebration.

Kenya’s Legacy Beyond 90 Minutes

For Kenya, tonight seals more than a tournament.

It is proof that investment in stadium upgrades, layered security, ticketing reforms, and fan inclusivity pays off.

The discipline shown in the stands has matched the grit shown on the pitch.

The vibrant fan culture, safe family zones, and orderly celebrations have told CAF and the world: Kenya is ready for AFCON 2027.

The Final Whistle

When the referee blows for full-time and the trophy rises under the Nairobi night sky, the champions will be crowned.

But the real victory will belong to Kenya and Africa – for delivering a tournament that was more than football.

It was community.

It was culture.

It was pride.

CHAN 2024 ends where it was always meant to:

Crowned in Kenya!

Crowned in Kenya: Let’s Protect the Game as We Head to the Finals

Posted on by Kibaki Muthamia

The stage is set. On 30th August, Kasarani will host Africa’s grandest football night – the CHAN 2024 Final.

Two teams, one crown, and one city ready to shine as the heartbeat of the continent.

But to make this moment unforgettable, it’s not just about what happens on the pitch. It’s about what happens in the stands, at the gates, and around the stadium.

Kenya has already shown the world our passion, unity, and discipline – now we must protect that legacy

Arrive Early, Arrive Prepared

Thousands of fans will flock to Kasarani, and security checks will be tight.

The best way to avoid long queues and last-minute stress is simple: arrive early. Gates will open hours before kick-off to ensure smooth entry.

Early arrival also means you get to soak in the pre-match atmosphere – the songs, the colours, the energy.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to be at Kasarani for the CHAN final between Madagascar and Morocco this Saturday (Image: Carol Radull)

Tickets: The Only Way In

No ticket, no entry.

To protect fans and keep order, only official CHAN tickets will be accepted at the gates.

Avoid fake vendors or last-minute hustles – all tickets must be purchased through authorised channels.

If you don’t have a ticket, don’t risk confrontation at the gate.

Instead, join one of the official fan zones across Nairobi, where the big screens and safe spaces will carry the same electric vibe.

Fan Behaviour: Our Reputation on the Line

Kenya has already suffered fines from CAF due to fan unrest in earlier matches.

One more slip could tarnish our reputation and threaten future opportunities – including AFCON 2027.

This final is our chance to show that Kenyan fans are world-class fans.

That means:

  • No pushing or forcing entry at the gates.
  • No throwing objects or invading the pitch.
  • Respect security personnel and other fans.

Your passion should lift the team, not put the country at risk.

Prohibited Items – Leave Them at Home

For everyone’s safety, the following are not allowed inside the stadium:

  • Weapons, firearms (real or replica)
  • Sharp, blunt, or heavy objects
  • Explosives, fireworks, flammable items
  • Bottles, cans, pressurised containers
  • Signal jammers, drones
  • Vuvuzelas, megaphones, whistles
  • Offensive or political banners
  • Outside food or drinks (only stadium vendors permitted)

Pack light, cheer loud.

Kenya’s Moment, Africa’s Stage

When the final whistle blows and the champions are Crowned in Kenya, let’s ensure the story remembered is one of discipline, pride, and unity.

The trophy may belong to one team, but the legacy belongs to all of us.

This is our time.

Let’s get it right.

Ruto Triples Prize Money for Kenyan Athletes in Historic Reward Overhaul

Posted on by Kibaki Muthamia

In a moving luncheon at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto celebrated Kenya’s sports heroes – the runners, footballers, boxers, volleyballers, and rugby stars who have carried the country’s flag to the global stage.

The Head of State described athletes as “Brand Kenya’s greatest ambassadors,” reminding the nation that beyond medals and records, their discipline and resilience inspire unity and belief in what Kenyans can achieve when they stand together.

This year’s CHAN tournament became the perfect case in point.

Few expected the Harambee Stars to survive the so-called “group of death,” where they faced giants like Morocco and DR Congo.

Yet, against all odds, Kenya topped the group – a result that rekindled faith that Kenyan football can shine internationally.

With AFCON 2027 looming, the President urged the nation to carry that same spirit of belief and resilience forward.

But recognition was not limited to praise alone.

Kenyan top athletes follow proceedings during the State House luncheon (Image: Files)

The government has revised the reward system for athletes, tripling Olympic gold medal prizes from KSh 750,000 to KSh 3 million, and raising silver and bronze rewards to KSh 2 million and KSh 1 million respectively.

For team sports, the new payouts range from KSh 375,000 to KSh 750,000 per player.

In total, more than KSh 70 million has been earmarked for athletes’ rewards, including bonuses for record-breakers.

At the heart of the celebration was a bigger vision: transforming Kenya into a global sports powerhouse.

Investments are already underway – from the construction of Talanta Sports City to the upgrading of iconic stadiums like Kasarani, Nyayo, and regional arenas such as Eliud Kipchoge, Bukhungu, and Raila Odinga Stadiums.

The Talanta Hela initiative and newly launched Constituency Sports Academies aim to nurture the next generation of talent, ensuring no gifted young athlete is overlooked.

Policy reforms are also in motion, with the Sports Act and Sports Policy being reviewed to address governance, doping control, athlete welfare, and integration of technology.

In addition, the President extended a call to corporate Kenya to rally behind athletes, noting that sponsorship and partnership are vital for building a thriving sports culture.

The luncheon closed on a powerful reminder: Kenya’s athletes are more than medalists – they are symbols of national pride, sacrifice, and the spirit of possibility.

As President Ruto put it:

“Greatness is never an accident. It is nurtured and earned through sacrifice, resilience, and self-belief.”

Crowned in Kenya: Who Will Be King – Morocco or Madagascar?

Posted on by Kibaki Muthamia

The road has been long, the nights electric, and the drama unforgettable.

From the opening whistle in Dar es Salaam to the knockout thrillers in Kampala and Nairobi, CHAN 2024 has delivered stories of grit, passion, and pride.

Now, only two names remain etched on the road to Kasarani: Morocco and Madagascar.

On 30th August, Africa will find out – who will be crowned?

Morocco: Chasing a Third Crown

For Morocco, this final feels familiar. The Atlas Lions came into CHAN 2024 as seasoned contenders, with the weight of expectation heavy on their shoulders.

They showed their intent early in the group stages with emphatic wins over DR Congo (3–1) and Zambia (3–1), plus a solid 2–0 victory over Angola.

Their only stumble came against hosts Kenya, a 0–1 loss that underlined just how competitive this tournament has been.

In the knockouts, Morocco’s experience and composure came to the fore.

A tense 1–0 quarterfinal win over Tanzania in Dar es Salaam showcased their control and game management.

Then came the semifinal against defending champions Senegal – a nerve-wracking night that ended 1–1 after extra time.

From the spot, Morocco were flawless, converting all five penalties to march into the final.

Led by midfield metronome Mohamed Rabie Hrimat and creative spark Youssef Mehri, Morocco bring discipline, depth, and a proven winning mentality.

They are hunting history – a record third CHAN crown in just seven years.

Madagascar: The Island Nation’s Dream Run

If Morocco’s journey is about legacy, Madagascar’s is about destiny.

The Barea arrived at CHAN 2024 with little fanfare, but their campaign has been nothing short of a fairy tale.

The group stage tested their resolve, but wins against Central African Republic (2–0) and Burkina Faso (2–1) gave them belief.

The turning point came in the quarterfinals against Kenya, where they held the hosts to a 1–1 draw before silencing Kasarani with a 4–3 penalty shootout win.

Goalkeeper Michel “Toldo” Ramandimbisoa emerged as a hero, saving crucial kicks and igniting Madagascar’s confidence.

The semifinal was another dramatic chapter – locked at 0–0 against Sudan deep into extra time, when Toky Rakotondraibe struck in the 116th minute to send Madagascar into their first-ever CHAN Final.

For the island nation, just reaching this stage is historic, but now, the dream is alive for one more game.

The Battle at Kasarani

So what decides the final?

Experience vs. Belief: Morocco know how to win at this level, but Madagascar have shown they can shock anyone.

Midfield Control vs. Counter Punches: Hrimat’s passing and Mehri’s runs drive Morocco, while Madagascar thrive on transitions, with Rafanomezantsoa and Razafimaro exploiting space.

Goalkeepers in the Spotlight: Morocco’s El Mehdi Al Harrar has been reliable, but Madagascar’s Ramandimbisoa has been a man possessed, pulling off match-winning saves.

It’s a final that promises fireworks – where every tackle, every save, and every chance could swing history one way or the other.

Who Will Be Crowned?

For Morocco, victory would be another jewel in their crown, cementing their dominance with a record third title.

For Madagascar, it would be the sweetest upset of all – their first CHAN crown, a triumph for belief, resilience, and island football.

Either way, when the trophy rises under the Nairobi night sky, the message will be clear: Africa came home, and its champions were crowned in Kenya.