‘The Grass Has Its Diet’ - Expert Shares Mechanics of Keeping CHAN 2024 Pitches in Pristine Condition

Football fans have marveled at the great conditions of the pitches during the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

Kenya has hosted matches at Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums while Kasarani Annex, Ulinzi Complex and Kenya Police Sacco grounds have acted as training venues for various teams.

All the facilities have grass that has been kept in pristine conditions after meeting the tough rules laid down by tournament organisers CAF.

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According to an expert well versed with groundskeeping matters, the grass is treated with great care and an attention to detail that ensures it does not lose its colour or fail below the standard.

“For the grass, it is about changing its food constantly,” Charles ‘Korea’ Omondi, the lawn care professional who has been keeping the Police Sacco grounds in good condition told SPM Sports.

“It has its diet…on Monday, we give it calcium nitrate which will give it energy and give the leaves a good colour that is appealing to the eye.

“Then the regularity of checking the grass helps you to know when it is suffering. It shows signs when it is not in great condition and immediately, you use your expertise to know which drug to give it.

“The signs [of grass suffering] is sometimes you see it has started turning yellow which means it needs a drug for fungi which will treat it and return it to its normal state.”

Kenya hosted Group A matches with Kasarani staging all Harambee Stars four group stage matches as well as the clash between Angola and DR Congo.

Nyayo, meanwhile, staged other Group A matches which had had Morocco, Zambia, DR Congo and Angola playing there as well as one Group C tie between Algeria and Niger on Monday.

Kasarani is due to stage the quarter-final between Kenya and Madagascar on Friday as well as the final on August 30.

Of the two facilities, Nyayo has been identified as the one with the best species of grass among all CHAN 2024 host venues in East Africa.