Kenya to host 2018 African Nations Championship

Nigerian midfielder Sunday Mba (L) tries to beat Ivorian defender Topio Coulibaly during the 2014 Chan qualification match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast in Kaduna July 6, 2013. PHOTO | PIUS UTOMI EKPEI | FILE

What you need to know:

  • Chan is a second-tier tournament for home-based players only

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has awarded Kenya the rights to host the 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan).

This follows a meeting by the Caf Executive Committee held last Friday and chaired by Caf President Issa Hayatou at the Caf Headquarters in Cairo.

“The Caf Executive Committee has designated Kenya as host of the 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan), following receipt of necessary government guarantees and complete dossier including the required infrastructure and security,” Caf said in a statement on Monday.

Chan is a second-tier tournament for home-based players only, with Congo, Tunisia and Libya being the most successful teams. Rwanda will host the 2016 Chan competition.

Kenya’s performance in Chan has been poor, with Harambee Stars failing to qualify since 2006. This year, Libya beat Ghana to win the tournament, which was held in South Africa.

Kenya’s bid to host the premier continental football showpiece, the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), flopped due to late submission of its report.

As a result, the country was locked out of the race for the 2019 and 2021 Afcon editions. (READ: Caf rejects Kenya’s 2019 Afcon bid)

Kenya missed a glorious opportunity to host the 1996 Afcon due to wrangling and a frosty relationship between the then football administrators and the government.