Kenya gets Chan lifeline as Caf extends deadline

What you need to know:

  • Caf Vice President Suketu Patel said the country has until November to complete the preparations for the tournament.

The Confederation of African Football has given Kenya until October to complete preparations for the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (Chan).

The fifth edition of this competition is set to be held in Nairobi between January 11 and February 2.

Caf vice-president Suketu Patel on Friday said the Caf delegation was in the country to assist with the preparations and not police the nation’s progress ahead of the tournament.

Suketu’s brief follows a week-long visit to the all the proposed venues by a Caf inspection team, which was led by Mohammed Khalid Amin from Egypt, in readiness for the event. The team also toured the training grounds and hotels which will accommodate the players and guests.

The venues, Nairobi's Nyayo and Kasarani stadium, Eldoret's Kipchoge Keino, Meru's Kinoru Stadium and the Kenyatta Stadium (Machakos), are all undergoing renovations in readiness for the event, and there have been fears the works may not be completed in time.

"Caf doesn't like giving out tournaments to a country and then taking it away. As it stands, the only country in Caf's plans for hosting Chan 2018 is Kenya but everything should be ready at least three months to the competition. If not, we may have to take tough decisions as we did in Madagascar," warned Patel.

The Caf executive committee last month withdrew Madagascar's hosting rights for this year's Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations following a report from Caf's inspection team although various sources suggest the decision was political, considering Madagascar FA president Ahmad has announced he will challenge incumbent Issa Hayatou in next month's Caf presidential elections.

Speaking at the press briefing held at his Kencom House offices, Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario revealed the Government has set aside Sh2.7 billion for use during this competition. Wario said the monies will be released in phases over the next six months.

"This job can be done and will be done. We need to concentrate and work harder because we will be in trouble if we haven't made progress in June," Football Kenya Federation chief Nick Mwendwa added.

Caf is expected to release a report detailing the progress made by Kenya in the next ten days. The continental body has also confirmed it will dispatch another inspection team in June.