The latest update from the Kasarani Stadium shows that the roofing is now complete after the successful installation of a canopy all around the arena ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).The facility was closed in September 2023 to pave the way for facelifting and renovations in readiness for the 2024 CHAN as well as the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).This was after all the stadia in Kenya failed to meet the minimum requirements by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host such calibre of matches.FIFA steps in as match-fixing allegations against Patrick Matasi take a new turnApart from Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium was also closed in January 2024 with the government also constructing a brand new Talanta Sports City Stadium.CHAN was set to take place in March 2025 but was postponed to August 2025 due to among others, incomplete facilities that were set to host the matches.According to a YouTube video by Travel & Tell as well as photos shared online from various sources, the stadium renovation is nearing completion with the canopy installation now complete.##NAJAVA_MECA_8823572##As per the video posted last week, only four panels of the canopy were yet to be installed but were expected to be complete after 24 hours when the clip was uploaded.In photos shared online on Tuesday, 1 April, the canopy is now done, and the roofing of the whole stadium is now complete.With the initial March date for CHAN, only the VIP section was going to be covered while the rest of the stadium would be done after CHAN but before AFCON but with the postponement, CAF directed that the whole stadium be covered and while works did not start immediately, the completion is a major boost for the country.Gor Mahia coach desperate for Benson Omala’s scoring instinctsApart from the canopy, the VIP and VVIP seat installations, which were at an advanced stage as per our previous update, are now complete.The stadium screens which had been installed ahead of the initial CHAN date in March have been removed, according to the video, in order to allow for work on the roof to be completed and are expected to be reinstated before the continental tourney begins in August.The canopy at Kasarani Stadium is now complete.📷 @pelnino_ on Ig pic.twitter.com/qmmpp0SNqi— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) April 1, 2025 The playing surface continues to take shape with the grass continuing to mature as the density also increases. According to CAF Stadium Guidelines, Edition 2022, the grass height must be between 20-30 mm.##NAJAVA_MECA_8823512##In the video by Travel & Tell, landscaping and grass planting on the warm-up areas in the stadium just after the tartan track behind the goalposts, as well as on the sides of the pitch, have also commenced and are expected to be ready and mature before August as required by CAF.The installation of speed lifts in the VIP section is at an advanced stage and will be ready for use in a few weeks time.With the roofing works done and the heavy building machines set to exit the stadium, up next will be the rehabilitation of the tartan track which has largely been damaged as a result of the ongoing works.FKFPL top scorer Ryan Ogam likely to miss remainder of season after undergoing surgeryThe existing track is set to be removed with a new one installed even as the last phase of the renovation work on the 60,000 seater facility continues.In our previous updates, the installation of floodlights was already complete by March 2025. The floodlights had been installed on the roofing steel structure and were not going to be affected by the absence and installation of the canopy across the stadium.The floodlights were approved by CAF after they met the requirements of a minimum horizontal illuminance of 1200-2000 lux that also covers the stadium uniformly.##NAJAVA_MECA_8823494##The team’s changing rooms, match official changing rooms, CAF official rooms and related areas were equally complete and closed awaiting the overall post construction cleaning and use in the biennial tournament.Similar renovation works are also ongoing in Uganda and Tanzania who will co-host the two tournaments alongside Kenya.With the infrastructure nearing its completion, the focus starts to shift to coach Benni McCarthy to assemble a formidable team for Kenya that will be able to compete in the tournament.KCB’s Kinyanjui out to increase his goal involvements tally amid impressive seasonHarambee Stars will be in Group A alongside Morocco, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.The 2024 CHAN will take place from Saturday, 2 August, to Saturday, 30 August.
