FIFA president Gianni Infantino to grace CHAN finals in Kasarani

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will be in Nairobi to grace the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on 30 August, organisers confirmed on Wednesday.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe and all 54 heads of African football associations are also expected to attend, according to Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairperson Nelson Musonye.

"CAF president Patrice Motsepe and all the 54 heads of national football on the continent will also be in attendance," Musonye said.

The visit by the FIFA boss is regarded as a major boost for Kenyan football, with his presence symbolic as it will also be his first visit to Kenya since becoming FIFA President.

The highly anticipated clash will pit Madagascar against Morocco, marking the end of a month-long tournament that kicked off on 2 August in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The opening match featured hosts Tanzania against Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

To add flair to the closing ceremony, top East African musicians will perform, underscoring the region's cultural unity. Tanzania's Zuchu, Kenya's Savara, and Uganda's Eddy Kenzo are set to headline the show.

Zuchu broke the news on Instagram, writing, "I'm so thrilled to announce that I will be headlining The African Nation Champion Finals this year #CHAN2025 happening in Nairobi, Kenya."

The entertainment lineup reflects the spirit of regional cooperation fostered by the joint hosting of the tournament by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania - the first time in CHAN history.

The event also serves as a build-up to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, which will be staged in East Africa.

This year's edition brought together 19 teams, among them defending champions Senegal, two-time winners Morocco, DR Congo, Nigeria, Algeria, and Zambia. Morocco reached the final after a tough group stage, while Madagascar impressed with a spirited run that captured continental attention.

Despite the excitement, uncertainty lingers over ticketing.

Fans are still awaiting official communication from the CHAN website on how to purchase tickets for the Kasarani finale.