Beyond the Scoreline: How Technology Quietly Orchestrated Every Moment of CHAN 2025
The tournament was more than a contest of nations, it was also a showcase of how far sports technology has come in African stadiums.
When Morocco edged Madagascar 3–2 in the final at Moi International Sports Centre on 30 August 2025, the headline was a title. Underneath it, CHAN 2025 quietly announced something larger: East Africa can run a modern, technically credible continental tournament. The competition ran from 2–30 August 2025, and for the first time CHAN was co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania under the regional “Pamoja” identity.
The African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 marked the country’s biggest football event in nearly two decades. Hosted across Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi and Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, the tournament tested Kenya’s readiness to stage continental events while also highlighting the role of technology in modern football.
Tournament Wrap-Up
The final, played at Nyayo Stadium, closed a month-long competition that brought together home-based players from across Africa. For Kenya, hosting CHAN was about more than football. It was a chance to prove the country could deliver a seamless event after years of delays and setbacks in preparing stadiums and infrastructure.
Broadcasting and Connectivity
Kenya partnered with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and international broadcasters to deliver live coverage across Africa and beyond. Multi-camera setups, high-definition feeds, and satellite uplinks ensured consistent global broadcasting. Importantly, while Kenya has nationwide 5G coverage rolled out by Safaricom and Airtel, there was no dedicated 5G inside the stadiums for CHAN. Instead, organizers relied on wired broadcast infrastructure and established mobile networks for media operations and fan connectivity.
Stadium Tech Upgrades
Ahead of CHAN, both Nyayo and Moi stadiums underwent refurbishments. Improvements included upgraded floodlights, refreshed seating, electronic ticketing, and enhanced security screening. VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was also deployed, aligning the tournament with international standards.
Fan Experience
Digital ticketing reduced queuing and helped curb counterfeiting, while mobile money integration allowed fans to make purchases inside the stadiums with ease. However, congestion during peak matches showed that Kenya still needs to expand its digital infrastructure for large crowds.
Looking Ahead
CHAN 2025 has been seen as a dress rehearsal for future continental events, including Kenya’s role in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which it will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. The lessons from CHAN — from broadcast coordination to crowd management — will be vital in scaling up.
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