The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has commended Rwanda’s preparations for the African Nations Championships (CHAN) due to start today at Amahoro National Stadium.

CHAN is a tournament designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues. Previous editions were held in Cote d’Ivoire (2009), Sudan (2011) and South Africa (2014).

In a news conference in Kigali yesterday, Confederation of African Football (CAF) Vice Chairman, Almany Kabele, said it is an honour for Rwanda to organise the tournament.

"We (CAF) are satisfied with the preparations, we have seen that all the stadiums are ready, hotels and other logistics related to the event. So Rwanda will host a successful event,” Kabele said before adding that everything was in position to host Africa’s second biggest football event .

"CHAN has helped local players to get known and we have moved from the initial eight teams to the current 16. It is time to market players who will be needed at the international level,’’ he said.

He noted that Rwanda is a great partner for the event and appreciated efforts of all the people who have played a role in organising it.

"Rwanda has fibre optic in every corner of the country, so everything is ready and CAF is pleased that everything is in place and we are happy that President Paul Kagame kept his promise,’’ said Kabele.

Other stadiums to host the event other than Amahoro are Kigali Regional Stadium, Rubavu Stadium in the Western Province and Huye Stadium in the Southern Province.

The Democratic Republic of Congo won the first edition, Tunisia were crowned champions at the 2011 edition, while Libya won last year’s edition in South Africa after beating Ghana 4-3 on penalties in Cape Town.

The stadium opens at 10am and gates close at 1:30. The opening ceremony will start at 2pm and will include the national dancing troupe ‘Urucyerereza’ while a special CHAN song will be performed by, among others, Jay Polly, Charley & Nina, and Big Fizzo from Burundi.

Also on the programme are over 300 performers that will include traditional drummers and acrobats.

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