FIFA President Gianni Infantino has arrived in Nairobi ahead of the grand finale of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), a moment that underscores both Kenya’s growing stature in global football and East Africa’s rising role on the continental stage.
Infantino, who has consistently reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to the development of African football, will be joined at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, alongside the heads of all 54 African football associations.
Their presence transforms Saturday’s CHAN final into not just a sporting spectacle, but a powerful statement of Africa’s unity, ambition, and growing influence in world football.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) hailed Infantino’s arrival as a landmark occasion, describing it as evidence of international trust in Kenya’s organisational capabilities.
“President Infantino’s presence is a huge endorsement, not only of the CHAN tournament but of Kenya’s pivotal role in shaping the future of football in Africa,” the FKF noted in a statement.
The final between defending champions Morocco and tournament surprise package Madagascar is expected to captivate millions, but its significance extends well beyond the pitch.
With global football leadership converging in Nairobi, the event reflects a deepening partnership between FIFA and CAF, built on a shared vision of investment, development, and opportunities for African footballers at all levels.
Infantino’s attendance also carries symbolic weight for East Africa, which is preparing—alongside Tanzania and Uganda—to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Kenya, this moment is more than the culmination of CHAN 2024; it is a defining chapter in the country’s football journey, affirming its place on the global map and strengthening its reputation as a trusted host for the world’s game.
