With just days to the kickoff of the 2024 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), two-time champions Morocco have landed in Nairobi, becoming the first team to arrive for the highly anticipated continental tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from August 2 to 30.
The Atlas Lions touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, receiving a colourful welcome from tournament officials and football fans.
Their early arrival is a strong signal of their ambition to lift a third CHAN title after previous wins in 2018 and 2021.
“We are excited to be here and ready for CHAN. I already love Nairobi the weather is great, and we are looking forward to a successful tournament,” said defender Marouane Louadni, who plies his trade at AS FAR in Morocco’s top league.
Morocco’s presence brings serious competition to Group A, which also features hosts Kenya, former champions DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia all traditional African football powerhouses. The North African giants will begin their campaign against Angola on Sunday, August 3, at Nyayo National Stadium.
Their preparation has been intense. The team held a pre-tournament training camp, which included friendly matches against Burkina Faso and a commanding 6–0 victory over Chad, showcasing their tactical sharpness and physical form.
The early arrival of the Moroccans puts psychological pressure on their group rivals, especially Kenya, who are making their fifth appearance at CHAN.
The Harambee Stars are banking on home support, cohesion under a locally-led technical bench, and recent improvements in youth development to make a deep run.
“This is a pivotal moment for Kenya. Hosting CHAN alongside Tanzania and Uganda puts the spotlight on our ability not just to organise but also to compete,” said CAF Local Organising Committee (LOC) spokesperson Sarah Otieno.
The LOC has ramped up final logistics, stadium readiness, and ticketing systems to handle the influx of fans expected to attend one of the biggest football spectacles in Kenya’s recent sporting history.
Kenya’s opening match will be a highly charged clash against Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday, August 3, with kickoff slated for 3:00 p.m. Expectations are high that the Harambee Stars will rise to the occasion on home turf.
