Insights Gained from Chan 2024 in Preparation for Afcon 2027 Matchups
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will be hosted by Kenya. This decision comes after Kenya successfully hosted the 2023 Chan tournament, which brought both challenges and opportunities for improvement.
During the Chan tournament, CAF issued disciplinary actions and warnings due to repeated breaches, including forced entries, perimeter failures, and overcrowding near media and VIP zones. These issues made national headlines, suggesting a need for improvement before Afcon.
One of the main venues for the Chan tournament was the Kasarani Stadium, where crowd congestion and chaotic entries were prevalent. The African governing body threatened to move matches away from Kasarani due to these security breaches.
Ticketing was another issue during the Chan tournament. Specific individuals were found to have bought thousands of tickets and resold them, causing confusion and frustration for many. To prevent such abuse and false bookings, CAF has proposed the establishment of a unified electronic ticketing platform with named tickets, dynamic QR codes, and strict resale rules ahead of Afcon 2027.
Fake online ticketing platforms also emerged during the Chan tournament, conning thousands of people. To combat this, an official e-ticketing platform should be set up to ensure a safe and secure ticketing process for all.
Political tension was also present during the Chan tournament, but the nation united behind the Harambee Stars, the Kenyan national football team. This unity helped to reduce the tension and create a vibrant atmosphere at the matches.
Despite these issues, Kenya still delivered big moments with vibrant crowds and a regional showcase that boosted visibility and tourism. The Talanta Sports Stadium, Kenya's biggest and first stadium constructed in the 21st century, is currently under construction and is expected to be completed later this year, with a capacity of 60,000.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino, CAF Executive Committee members, and FKF President Hussein Mohammed recently toured the Talanta Stadium to assess its progress. Group D of the Chan tournament was staged in Zanzibar's New Amaan Stadium due to facility readiness and training-ground shortfalls in Kenya.
In conclusion, Kenya has shown its ability to host major football tournaments, but there are still gaps that need to be addressed. The establishment of a unified electronic ticketing platform, improvements in stadium security, and addressing infrastructure issues will be crucial in ensuring a successful Afcon 2027. Morocco won the 2024 Chan trophy last Saturday, setting the bar high for Kenya in 2027.
