The Confederation of African Football (CAF) boss Patric Motsepe remains confident that Kenya will beat the deadlines to successfully host next year’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), despite the dates closing in and the training and match facilities yet to hit good percentages in terms of clearance.

Motsepe, who has been on a day’s tour of Kenya ahead of the tournament, says he is impressed with the improvement of work and the progress made since his last visit.

“I am really happy to see that we have moved steadily from where the progress was last time and now. I am happy and contended with the assurances given to me by President William Ruto and the entire government to host this tournament successfully. I have no doubt that Kenya and East Africa will host the best CHAN in history,” Motsepe said, as he addressed a press conference at Nyayo Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Motsepe arrived in the country Thursday night from Zanzibar. He toured the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in the morning, before meeting with President Ruto at State House, Nairobi.

He also toured the Ulinzi Sports Complex as well as the Police Sacco Stadium, two of the three proposed training sites. He also had a brief round at the Nyayo Stadium.

Kenya has strict deadlines to meet, with the tournament now just over a month away. The playing surfaces at both Nyayo and Kasarani Stadia are looking on course, but there are questions on the floodlights at Nyayo, as well as the sitting area and roofing at Kasarani.

However, outgoing Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has promised that all finances are being availed to ensure that the timelines are met.

“We know that we have very tight schedules and we are burning the midnight oil, working day and night to have everything ready. We made a decision that stuff that was to be shipped will now be brought by air to ensure they get here as quick as possible,” Murkomen said.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) meanwhile remains confident that the commitment from government will ensure that the timelines are met.

“I want to thank His Excellency the President William Ruto for his and the government’s support. As FKF we will play our role and offer as much support as possible to ensure we host a successful tournament,” Hussein Mohammed, the new FKF boss said.

CHAN is scheduled for February 1-28. After inspecting Kenya, Motsepe is in Uganda, where he will conduct a similar run to ensure that the region is ready to hos 16 other African countries come next year.