With just 20 days to go, excitement is building as Kenya prepares to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time in history.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed that the tournament will kick off on August 3, with Harambee Stars set to face DR Congo at the iconic Kasarani Stadium.

“This will be a historic moment, not just for the team, but for the country,” the FKF President Hussein Mohammed said in a statement on July 13.

Kenya’s hosting of the continental tournament has been described as a major milestone for the nation’s football journey.

The spotlight will be firmly on Harambee Stars as they make their debut on home soil in the competition.

Fans have been urged to rally behind the national team in large numbers.

“Let’s show up for the boys. Let’s fill the stadium, make our voices heard, and give them the support they need from the very first whistle,” the FKF boss added.

The call comes as the federation works to finalise preparations for the 16-nation tournament, which will feature top talent from across Africa.

Officials are optimistic that Kenya’s successful hosting of CHAN will showcase the country’s readiness for bigger international football events in the future.

As the countdown begins, attention now turns to Harambee Stars’ preparations for their opening match against DR Congo.

The game is expected to draw massive crowds and will set the tone for Kenya’s campaign.

Supporters are being encouraged to buy tickets early and turn Kasarani into a fortress for the team.

“With the spotlight on us, this is our chance to make history,” the FKF statement concluded.

On June 19, the Confederation African Football (CAF) announced that Kenya’s Kasarani Stadium will host the final match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The confederation said the match will be staged on Saturday, August 30, 2025.

CAF said the announcement follows consultations with the three co-hosting nations—Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The hosting will mark the return of the CHAN tournament to East Africa for the first time since Rwanda hosted it in 2016.

The competition, which is exclusively for players competing in their domestic leagues, will run from August 2 to 30, 2025.