FIFA President Gianni Infantino has arrived in Nairobi ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) final, marking his first official visit to Kenya since taking charge of world football in 2016.
Infantino, who has been at the helm of FIFA since February 2016 and also serves as a member of the International Olympic Committee, touched down on Friday and was warmly received by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed.
Describing the moment as “historic,” Mohammed said Infantino’s presence reflects FIFA’s growing confidence in Kenya’s ability to stage major football tournaments.
Infantino will be the chief guest at today’s much-anticipated final between Madagascar and two-time champions Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The game, kicking off at 6 p.m., brings down the curtain on a tournament that began on August 2 and has highlighted both the talent on the pitch and Kenya’s organizational capacity off it.
The FIFA boss’s visit comes amid heightened football activity in Nairobi. CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who arrived on Thursday, is leading an Executive Committee meeting involving all 54 African football federation heads at a city hotel. Infantino is expected to join the meeting before addressing the media alongside Motsepe, and later head to Kasarani for the grand finale.
Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya assured on Friday that security and logistics had been bolstered to welcome the high-profile guests. Adding further significance to the occasion, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina will also be in attendance, cheering on his national team as they look to surpass their 2023 bronze medal finish.
