Football fans are set for a historic moment as global and continental football leaders head to Nairobi for the 2024 African Nations Championship final.
Among the top names expected to attend the match on Saturday, August 30, 2025, are FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, and the president of Madagascar, all forming part of a delegation of high-profile visitors who will witness the conclusion of the tournament.
This year’s edition of CHAN has been co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with the final match bringing the curtain down on an event that has showcased Africa’s football talent and attracted global attention.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed the arrivals during a briefing on Friday, August 28, 2025. He said that the match had drawn the eyes of the continent, making it one of the biggest football occasions Kenya has hosted in recent years.
He added that dignitaries from different parts of the world would attend, including the leaders of FIFA and CAF, as well as a high-level delegation from Madagascar.
The president of Madagascar’s presence will mark his first official visit to Kenya, a gesture seen as strengthening diplomatic and sporting ties.
For Infantino, the trip will not be his first engagement in East Africa, although it will be his maiden visit to Nairobi. Since taking office in 2016, he has shown interest in supporting African football, and he has visited countries like Tanzania and South Sudan, where he attended a World Cup qualifier in Juba in May 2024.
His presence in Kenya is seen as a major boost to the country’s profile in international sports hosting, further cementing the government’s push to make Kenya a hub for major tournaments. As the final approaches, preparations in Nairobi are in full swing.
According to Mvurya, the closing ceremony is scheduled to start at 2:00 pm, featuring various entertainment activities to mark the end of the competition.
The match itself will kick off at 6:00 pm, but the dignitaries are expected to arrive an hour earlier to witness the celebrations and interact with local leaders.
The Ministry of Sports has assured that logistics and security are already in place to ensure the smooth running of the event.
The CS has also urged fans to arrive at the stadium early to avoid missing the festivities. He noted that those with tickets should be seated by 1:30 pm to fully enjoy the ceremony.
Mvurya stressed that the day will be colorful and lively, urging football lovers to take advantage of the rare opportunity to be part of such a historic occasion.
With the world’s football leaders, African heads of state, and thousands of fans set to gather, the Nairobi final promises to be an event that will not only showcase football but also put Kenya on the global sporting map.
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