The streets of Nairobi are buzzing again – and for good reason.

As the Harambee Stars prepare to clash with Madagascar in the CHAN 2024 quarterfinals, fans have been handed another chance to experience the thrill live from the comfort of their own neighborhoods.

Organizers have confirmed that fan zones will once again light up community grounds across the city, including the iconic Baba Dogo Grounds, where football passion runs deep.

For fans who missed out on stadium tickets, this is the next best thing – giant screens, booming chants, entertainment, and safe, family-friendly spaces that carry the same energy you’d feel at Kasarani.

This will be the second round of fan zone screenings, following the overwhelming turnout in the group stages.

The concept has been more than a stopgap for ticket shortages – it has evolved into a celebration of community, football culture, and the unifying power of sport.

The Baba Dogo Allure

The choice of Baba Dogo as a fan zone host isn’t just logistical, it’s symbolic.

Long before it became a CHAN fan village, Baba Dogo Grounds was – and still is – a cradle of stars.

This is the pitch where talents like Harambee Stars’ breakout forward Austin Odhiambo cut their teeth, and where legends like McDonald Mariga once honed their grit.

The community fought hard to protect this space from encroaching developers, and President Ruto’s recent promise to upgrade it into a modern football facility has cemented its role as a nursery of Kenyan football.

Hosting the fan zone here is a nod to that heritage – a reminder that football belongs to the people, and its future is rooted in community grounds.

Voices from the Community

Local coaches and medics, who have watched both the players and the grounds grow, couldn’t hide their excitement:

“This is about more than football. It’s about pride, unity, and giving young players the inspiration to dream bigger,” said Joab Ouma, Coach at Lucky Summer.

“Baba Dogo is home for many of us. Seeing it celebrated this way tells every child here that their pitch matters,” added Steven Zakayo, Coach: Baba Dogo.

For others, safety remains key.

“We’ve set up secure areas for women and children. It’s not just about watching the game, it’s about families feeling welcome and safe,” emphasized Franklin Osama, Medic: Baba Dogo.

The Bigger Picture

The fan zones are proof that football is not just played in stadiums – it lives in our estates, our neighborhoods, and our communities.

They allow thousands who can’t make it to Kasarani to still stand shoulder-to-shoulder, flags raised, and voices joined in one chant: “Stars, Stars, Stars!”

So this Sunday, whether you’re in Baba Dogo, Lucky Summer, or any of the other fan zones, know this – you are part of the story.

You are part of the 12th man army that carries the Harambee Stars forward.

Because at the end of the day, football is about all of us.