The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has clear stadium regulations that stadia must meet in order to host specific tournaments or training grounds and which clubs and countries including Kenya, must meet.Kenya is set to co-host the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside neighbours Tanzania and Uganda.To be ready to host the two tournaments, the three East Africa countries had to improve their sporting infrastructure among other requirements to meet the laid down requirements and obtain approval from the continental football governing body.AFC Leopards’ Miheso embraces pressure ahead of Mashemeji DerbyThe two main stadiums in the country; Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani and the Nyayo National Stadium were therefore closed for renovations while a brand new Talanta Sports City is being built, at least for the 2027 AFCON.Stadium CategorizationCAF has classified stadiums into four categories and in an ascending ranking with finals of men’s tournaments such as CHAN and AFCON falling in the fourth and highest category.Mozzart Sport looks at the requirements of Category 4 stadiums that Nyayo, Kasarani and the upcoming Talanta Sports City must meet in order to host the two tournaments.##NAJAVA_MECA_812492##Pitch and surrounding areasThe field of play must be smooth and equipped with either a natural, artificial or hybrid grass and must contain only the markings of a football pitch.The length must be a minimum of 100m and a maximum of 110m while the width must be a minimum of 64m and maximum 85m while the grass height must be between 20-30 mm.The pitch must also be equipped with a drainage system and a water sprinkler system as well as warm up areas for substitutes, either along the touchlines or behind the advertising boards behind the goal.Goalposts and cross bars must also be such that they do not pose any danger to players and a spare which is available can easily be installed.Additionally, the stadium must have at least two covered benches at pitch level with a seating room of at least 14 players each and one covered bench with a seating room of four for match officials.Floodlights for use in evening and night matches for purposes of high definition TV coverage and should be designed to avoid glare and minimize shadows to the lowest possible level.The minimum horizontal illuminance for stadiums that can host CHAN and AFCON is 1200-2000 lux and must uniformly cover the whole pitch and have an independent backup power system.On power supply, a generator that can provide the equivalent light-intensity values instantaneously and without interruption must be provided while there also needs to be a generator exclusively for LED panels if they are installed.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: Where will Shabana, Murang’a Seal battle be won?Teams and CAF officialsThe dressing rooms for teams must be at least four and equipped with at least five showers, five individual seated toilets, three urinals, bathroom sink, 25 seating and locker, massage table, white tactical board/flip chart with pens, hot and cold shower as well as good ventilation or air conditioning.Additionally, the dressing rooms ust have a fridge, provision to mount a television, non-slip floors, permanent or temporary ice baths, trash can as well as a dedicated entry to and from the stadium away from spectators.For Referees dressing rooms, CAF requires a minimum of two dressing rooms with at least a shower, individual seated toilet, urinal, bathroom sink, four seats, four lockers, a desk, massage table, internet connectivity, fridge, tactical board, first aid kits, electronic substitution boards as well as pump and pressure gages for match balls.There also needs to be a room that can accommodate at least 20 persons for use by ball boys as well as a storage roomA stadium must also have rooms for use as CAF offices with a room reserved for CAF personnel, 1 room for match commissioner, one room for CAF marketing, one for Local Organizing Committee and one for CAF Safety and Security Officer.The parking area must have space for at least four buses for teams and officials, space for at least 20 cars for teams and officials and located in safe areas as well as a dedicated, safe and secure for VIP and VVIP guests and those for supporters.David Rudisha’s advice to athletes ahead of Tokyo World ChampionshipsMedical related areasThe first aspect of this section is the first aid and treatment facilities for players and officials that includes a first aid room, one examination and treatment table, emergency medications, automatic ventilator, minor surgery supplies and equipment, oxygen with appropriate oral airway, splints, stretchers and cardiac monitor.There should also be a defibrillator, capnometer, central vein catheters, stretcher carriers and ambulance on each side of the pitch as well as ambulances equipped with oxygen masks, defibrillator, I/V drip sets, emergency medications and trained medical staff among others.A doping control room located near the team dressing room and inaccessible to persons not involved in the doping process must also be available within the stadium.Kenyan goalkeeper keen on sealing continental football with South African clubThe doping room must have a waiting room, an office and a toilet area. The room must have a TV, refrigerator with non-alcoholic drinks and a seating area for at least eight persons.The office which will be used by the doping officer must contain a desk, four chairs, a lockable cabinet, washbasin , two large waste paper bins and a desk for doping control equipment.Look out for part II of these requirements that will include spectator related areas, VIP, VVIP and hospitality areas, media related areas, TV and broadcasting related areas as well as training facilities.Source: CAF Stadium Regulations, Edition 2022
