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CHAN local organizing committee chairman Nicholas Musonye has revealed that plans are underway for proper marketing of the CHAN 2024 tournament set to start in August 2025.

The competition was set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania this February before CAF postponed it to August, citing a lack of requisite infrastructural structures.

In an interview with a local TV channel on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, regarding the rescheduling, Musonye expressed his approval of the decision to cancel the February date. He mentioned that this move allows them to take advantage of marketing strategies that would have been difficult to implement under the pressures and demands of the earlier date.

The former CECAFA secretary general emphasizes their commitment as the local organizing committee to deliver an event that Kenyans will be proud of.

“CAF provided reasons for postponing the games. All three hosts had issues to resolve; it’s not just Kenya. We are now relieved to have more time,” Musonye stated.

“They have moved the games to August, and you will see a difference. We have a strong marketing and media team that will promote this competition effectively. Kenyans will be aware that the tournament is coming here. We hadn’t done this earlier due to time constraints, but I’m assuring you that we are starting next week,” Musonye added. 

Despite the official draw for the tournament going down on January 15, 2025, at the KICC, many Kenyans still remain wary of being stripped of the rights in what could be a repeat of the 2018 scenario.

Morocco was awarded the hosting rights after Kenya fell behind in preparations, with infrastructure being a significant issue at that time.

Meanwhile, Musonye is optimistic that the games will remain in EA.

“The draws are already done. We managed to conduct them in three days to organize, and it was among the best. Normally it takes three months,” Musonye added.

The biennial 16-team tournament comprises players plying their trade in their home league matches battling it out for the honours.

The competition aims to assess the preparedness and capacity of the three nations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations games.