By Kimathi Kamau
NAIROBI, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The Confederations of African Football on Saturday gave Kenya the go ahead to host the 2018 Africa Home Nations Championships (CHAN) ending speculation the East African nation would be stripped of the right to stage the second-tier continental tournament.
CAF Second Vice-President Selemani Omari told a news conference in Nairobi, the Kenyan government and local federation had met the major requirements as he called on the organisers to expedite work on areas that fell short.
"We wish to put to an end to rumours that Kenya will not host CHAN. Yes, there are challenges but the positives are more. We are impressed with the progress made towards the hosting of the games.
"The progress has been good from the inspections. We hope the Government continues the work in fast tracking the areas lacking," Congolese national Omari who led a CAF delegation team to inspect the facilities earmarked for the competition told reporters.
He announced only two stadiums, Nyayo National and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani- both located in the Kenyan capital had passed the threshold to stage CHAN games during the penultimate inspection tour of the facilities.
Kenyatta (Machakos), Kinoru (Meru) and Kipchoge Keino (Eldoret) stadiums have less than 90 days to get ready for the tournament open only to home grown players that will be played from Jan. 11 to Feb. 2, 2018.
"We are focused on eliminating any doubts out there and we know our challenges. We will be ready," Football Kenya Federation President, Nick Mwendwa assured.
The decision put to rest fears Kenya would lose the event with the North African State of Morocco one of the nations reported to have been on standby to step in.
During the latest inspection tour, CAF officials expressed their displeasure with the state of the three stadiums outside Nairobi with the regional County Government of Meru immediately shutting down Kinoru on Wednesday to fast-track the renovation works.
Kenya will host her first ever continental football tournament after the country was stripped of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations when the former regime of retired President Daniel arap Moi declined to financially guarantee the hosting of CAF' s flagship event.
As a result, the East African country was banned from the subsequent two editions and fined heavily.
