Kenya's hosting of CHAN in doubt as Caf calls off next week's inspection visit, Morocco waits anxiously

Published on: 03 September 2017
Kenya's hosting of CHAN in doubt as Caf calls off next week's inspection visit, Morocco waits anxiously
Kenya is scheduled to host the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) from 12 January to 4 February 2018

Kenya's hosting of the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been thrown into the doubt after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has called off this week's inspection visit to the country.

The development has put Morocco on a high alert as they will be seeking to replace Kenya as hosts of the competition which starts in just four months.

The visit was scheduled to begin on Thursday 7 September, but Kenya's Football Federation (FKF) said the current political situation in Kenya prompted Caf to take the decision.

However there are also concerns about the state of facilities for the competition and with no direct show of government support Morocco could be drafted in as last minute replacements.

On Friday, a Supreme Court ruling annulled President Uhuru Kenyatta's election victory in the recent Presidential elections.

"We have just been informed that in light of the recent happenings, Caf will be sending its 2nd Vice president Mr. Constant Omari Selemani to assess the political and security situation of the country, before they can proceed with the inspection visit," said FKF president Nick Mwendwa.

"Consequently, the planned inspection visit that was scheduled for next week has been shelved, with Caf informing us that they will only announce a new date after the assessment of the political situation in the country," added the FKF president.

Mr. Omari was expected to arrive in Kenya on Sunday 3 September.

The CHAN is a 16-team championship, reserved for locally-based African footballers who play in their domestic leagues.

Kenya is scheduled to host the tournament between 12 January and 4 February 2018.

Rwanda hosted the last edition of the African Nations Championship in February 2016, which was won by the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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