Government reflects on CHAN lessons as focus turns to AFCON 2027
Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, speaks during a past event. PHOTO | COURTESY
The Taifa Stars topped Group B with 10 points, finishing unbeaten and recording historic results. However, their journey ended in the knockout stage after a narrow 1–0 defeat to Morocco
Dar es Salaam. The government has said that hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 offered Tanzania valuable lessons on how to stage international sporting competitions, lessons that will be critical as the nation prepares, alongside Kenya and Uganda, to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, told The Citizen yesterday that CHAN 2024 served as a testing ground that revealed both achievements and challenges in event management.
Msigwa explained that Tanzania has gained key insights into preparing and managing infrastructure, not only at training facilities but also at match venues.
He said the experience would guide improvements in stadium maintenance, security, and logistics ahead of AFCON 2027.
“Through CHAN 2024, we have learned how to organize and supervise infrastructure, both for training fields and stadiums. This is vital experience as we prepare to welcome Africa’s biggest football event in 2027,” he said.
Boosting tourism and national branding
The official stressed that CHAN 2024 also offered Tanzania a platform to showcase its tourism potential and enhance its international image. Visitors, teams, and officials who traveled for the tournament were exposed to the country’s attractions beyond football.
“This competition has helped us to learn how to handle international guests, how to promote tourism, and how to use sports as a tool for branding the country. These are opportunities we must maximize as we move towards AFCON 2027,” Msigwa noted.
Stakeholder engagement and partnerships
He further explained that CHAN 2024 strengthened collaboration between government institutions, sports bodies, and the private sector.
The government now plans to build on these networks as it gears up for the continental showpiece in 2027.
“The tournament has opened doors for partnerships with stakeholders across different sectors. We now know how to better coordinate with sponsors, media, and development partners,” he said.
Improving the national team for AFCON 2027
Beyond infrastructure and logistics, Msigwa said that the performance of the national team will be crucial for Tanzania’s image at AFCON 2027. He said CHAN 2024 gave Taifa Stars valuable exposure, but greater investment and preparation are needed to compete against Africa’s best sides.
“CHAN gave us hope, but AFCON is a much bigger stage. We must prepare our national team to perform at the highest level so that we do not just host, but also compete successfully,” he said.
Msigwa noted that CHAN 2024 was one of Tanzania’s best outings in recent history. The Taifa Stars topped Group B with 10 points, finishing unbeaten and reaching the knockout stages for the first time. However, he stressed that AFCON will be a much tougher competition.
“In CHAN, we did the best by qualifying for the knockout stage, topping Group B with 10 points and remaining unbeaten. But for AFCON, we must go beyond that. The 2027 tournament will be the toughest ever, because every team will bring players who also feature in competitive leagues abroad,” he explained.
According to him, the government and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) must work together to ensure long-term planning, better coaching, and more international friendlies to strengthen the squad.
“We need to give our players exposure, improve their skills, and ensure they are physically and mentally ready. AFCON 2027 will not only test our facilities, but also our footballing quality,” Msigwa stressed.
Preparing for AFCON 2027
With AFCON 2027 only two years away, Msigwa emphasized that the government is committed to addressing the gaps identified during CHAN 2024.
Strategies will include improving stadium experiences, fan engagement initiatives, stronger support for Taifa Stars, and broader marketing campaigns. “Tanzania has proven it can host major competitions.
The lessons from CHAN 2024 are a strong foundation for us, Kenya, and Uganda to deliver a historic and successful AFCON 2027,” he concluded.
Challenges: Filling the stadiums
While praising the success of CHAN 2024, Msigwa admitted that filling stadiums remained a major challenge. Tanzanian football fans tend to focus on the national team, Taifa Stars, and turnout for matches not involving the team was lower than expected.
“One of the main challenges was stadium attendance. Many of our fans only support Taifa Stars, so matches without them had limited crowds,” he explained.
With AFCON 2027 only two years away, Msigwa said that that the government is committed to addressing the gaps identified during CHAN 2024. Strategies will include improving stadium experiences, fan engagement initiatives, and broader marketing campaigns.
“Tanzania has proven it can host major competitions. The lessons from CHAN 2024 are a strong foundation for us, Kenya, and Uganda to deliver a historic and successful AFCON 2027,” Msigwa concluded.
