Kagame acknowledged at CAF Congress for a thriving 2016 CHAN tournament

The CAF President Issa Hayatou hailed Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame for his contribution towards the success of the 2016 CHAN Tournament.

The CAF President Issa Hayatou has acknowledged President Paul Kagame for sparing no effort to ensure the success of the 2016 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) held in Rwanda from January 16 to February 7.

CAF president Hayatou made the remarks in his address at the 38th CAF Ordinary General Assembly held on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico.

The President of Rwanda Football Federation, Mr Nzamwita Vincent, Mr. Kayiranga Vedaste the Vice President and Mr. Kagabo Patrick, Executive Member in charge of Marketing and Communication commission represented Rwanda at the CAF Congress.

Hayatou said in his speech, “The  4th  edition of  the Orange African Nations Championship, that Rwanda hosted at the beginning of this  year,  was  another occasion to not only rate the potential of the players that play on the continent, but also the work done by the local  coaches,”

“For, despite the organization that was so well done by Rwanda, whose Head of State-Paul  Kagame, spared no effort to make it a glamorous success, there was real spectacle on the field, culminating with the final victory of  the  Democratic  Republic  of  Congo,  which I once more congratulate,”

“According to many technicians,  some matches were of such quality and intensity that there is just nothing to envy of the African Nations Cup, our major competition, of which preparations for the 31st edition from  January 14 through February 5, 2017 in Gabon is in intensifying,”

“We have reasons to hope that the level of CHAN, of which the 5th edition is scheduled to be in Kenya in 2018, will go on ameliorating itself,” he added.

The CHAN 2016 tournament was staged in Rwanda in four venues at Amahoro, Huye, Umuganda and Stade de Kigali respectively.

DR Congo, winners of the maiden edition in 2009, won the 2016 edition after edging Mali 3-0 in the final to cruise to their second African Nations Championship (CHAN) title.

Beside the trophy, the Congolese were also 750,000 US Dollars richer whilst Mali pocketed 400,000 US Dollars for finishing second. Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea who finished third and fourth respectively received 250,000 US Dollars each.

Hosts Rwanda was eliminated in the quarter final by eventual winner DR Congo after a 2-1 win in extra-time.

Neighbours Kenya will host the 2018 edition of the Africa Nations’ Championship (CHAN) which is reserved for only locally-based players featuring in their country’s domestic leagues.