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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has commended Kenya’s preparedness for the CHAN 2024, calling it an investment in the youth.
While addressing a press conference in Nairobi on Saturday, August 30, 2025, the FIFA President also took the opportunity to refute claims that East African football is lagging, highlighting the region’s strong infrastructure, passion, and determination.
“The fact that there is a feeling out there that football is more prominent in the West, North, or South of Africa, but the East is kind of lagging, is simply wrong.
When you see the passion that is here, the commitment; new stadiums are being built here, infrastructure coming together, you’ve heard about the viewing figures (40 million), the fans, this shows that it’s right to invest in the game because this is investment in the youth of Kenya which has incredible talent,” said the FIFA President.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino Promises Football Infrastructure Development in Kenya
At the same time, the FIFA president hinted at plans to establish football infrastructure, including football academies in Kenya and Africa.
“From our side, of course, there is full support for developing youth and bringing them up. At FIFA, we are also investing. We hope to present soon a very exciting project of a national center, academies, and more. We are investing more of the revenues that we make in football in Kenya and across Africa.
And one thing we tend to forget in Africa, as in other parts of the world, is the importance of the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup — a key part of African football,” said Infantino.
CAF President Praises Kenya for the Huge Turnout of Fans
On his part, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe praised the strong turnout of Kenyan fans at CHAN 2024, stating that their immense support sets a solid stage for AFCON 2027.
“Just, you know, what excites me is the huge investment of significance over the last 40 years. I said, for the last 40 years. From a CAF perspective, this is an important competition and an important initiative to invest in, to stimulate, and to motivate the enormous interest that we have seen.
The hundreds of thousands of people in the fan parks, the feedback I received from the president of Kenyan football, indicated huge numbers: 40 million viewers and 140,000 in the fan parks. In Kenya, the interest in the CHAN 2024 tournament has been exceptional,” said the CAF President.
Also Read: What Winner of 2024 CHAN Final Will Take Home
He stated that there has been massive support, which is a significant boost for football in the country.
About CHAN Tournament
Both the FIFA President and CAF President are expected to grace the 2024 CHAN final between Madagascar and Morocco at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.
The CHAN tournament, launched in 2009, is a key competition for the development and growth of Africa-based footballers. It offers a platform for young talents who play in their domestic leagues, helping improve the global competitiveness of African football and CAF competitions.
Also Read: NPS Lists Roads to Be Closed and All Diversions Ahead of CHAN Final
This tournament is part of CAF’s broader strategy to invest in African football, making it more appealing and attractive to fans, TV audiences, sponsors, partners, and other stakeholders both within Africa and globally.
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