Chan 2018: Caf gives Kenya's preps a thumbs up

Confederation of African Football (Caf) have remained confident that Kenya will stage Chan competition in 2018.

The Executive Committee of the African body under the chairmanship of Issa Hayatou met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Tuesday where among other things; they discussed the progress of Kenya to stage the biannual tournament.

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According to a statement obtained by Goal, Caf are impressed with the fact that the Kenyan government is committed to hosting the competition. “Significant progress has been made on the ground and there is a strong government commitment to host the competition and make it a success. This comes after the inspection mission to Kenya from February 20 to 24, led by Caf First Vice President, Suketu Patel. The inspection team visited the various sites, including Nairobi, with two stadiums, Eldoret, Meru and Machakos.”

The move comes amid worries that the country was not prepared to host the competition for local based players owing to the dilapidated state of its infrastructure. There were also reports that Caf was eyeing Ethiopia, Morocco and Equatorial Guinea as alternatives should Kenya fail to make the grade.

Also the latest development to endorse Kenya’s bid comes just a day before Caf elections. Kenya's FA President Nick Mwendwa is among voters expected to make a decision as to whom between messers Issa Hayatou and Ahmad Ahmad will rule African football for the next four years.

This one promises to be a bruising battle pitting the 70-year-old Hayatou - who is seeking to extend his three-decade hold onto power - against Ahmad, who is 13 years younger, and chief of the Madagascan FA.

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On Monday, Mwendwa exclusively told Goal that that the country’s stance will only be known during the elections as the process is secret. “It is a secret ballot," he began. "People should only wait to see results after elections.”