CHAN 2024 Kicks Off: Bigger, Longer, and Spread Across Three Countries
This year’s African Nations Championship—or CHAN 2024—is making history by stretching across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and bringing together a record-breaking 19 national teams. Fans who are used to the usual suspects will notice a twist: only domestic league players are in action, which makes the matches unpredictable and the stakes sky-high for emerging talent. The tournament, originally set for early 2025 but bumped to August due to stadium upgrades, now promises a summer football feast from August 2 to 30, 2025.
The opening group games wasted no time in bringing drama. Kenya squeaked out a 1-0 win against DR Congo right off the bat, setting the bar in Group A. Over in Uganda, Algeria flexed their muscles, crushing the hosts 3-0 in Group C—a reminder of how much competition is heating up, even before the group stages really kick into gear.
Group Battles, Venues, and What’s at Stake
Five top stadiums are in play: Nyayo Stadium and Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, and Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium. These venues aren’t just names on a schedule—they’re the heart of the host cities, ready to pour all their energy into every game night.
Let’s take a closer look at how the group stage is shaping up:
- Group A (Kenya): DR Congo, Zambia, Morocco, Angola, Kenya. After grabbing three early points, Kenya is hoping home advantage continues to pay off. There’s still plenty to prove, with teams like Morocco and Zambia lurking to spoil the party. Key matches coming up include DR Congo vs Zambia, Angola vs Kenya, and the can’t-miss clash between Kenya and Morocco.
- Group C (Uganda): Algeria, Niger, South Africa, Uganda. With Algeria laying down a statement win, Uganda will have to regroup quickly. Every point will matter in this tight chase for knockout berths.
- Group D (Tanzania): Sudan, Senegal, Nigeria, Congo. While the early focus is on the August 19 double-header (Sudan vs Senegal, Nigeria vs Congo), keep an eye on Nigeria—always dangerous—even as defending champs Senegal try to live up to their name.
Matches are spread over five stadiums, giving fans in all three countries reason to be glued to every whistle, with local pride on the line for every host nation. The knockout round doesn’t start until August 22, so there’s plenty of group drama still to unfold.
The quarter-finals happen over two days (August 22–23) in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Kampala. After that the top four square up for the semi-finals on August 26, setting the stage for a final showdown on August 30 at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi—the kind of finale that promises wild energy and a packed crowd.
With past champions like Morocco and DR Congo in the lineup, and Senegal returning as the current trophy holders, every squad knows this is the year to make a statement. Expect to see some surprise heroes, breakout teams, and plenty of unforgettable moments. The spotlight is firmly fixed on East Africa, and CHAN 2024 is ready to deliver a tournament fans won’t soon forget.