The stage is set for the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The eagerly awaited draw held on Wednesday, January 15, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, revealed tantalizing matchups for the August 2025 tournament.
For the first time since Rwanda hosted the event in 2016, CHAN returns to East Africa, with Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania sharing hosting duties. This unique tournament, showcasing only players active in their domestic leagues, is a celebrated platform for Africa’s homegrown football talent.
Group A: Hosts Kenya Face a "Group of Champions"
Kenya, as hosts, headline Group A, a challenging pool featuring past champions Morocco (two-time winners) and DR Congo (two-time winners), alongside Angola and Zambia. With three former titleholders, this group promises thrilling encounters and fierce competition.
Group B: Tanzania Welcomes Competitive Rivals
Tanzania leads Group B, where they’ll face Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. As hosts, Tanzania will aim to leverage home support in navigating this balanced group.
Group C: Uganda Prepares for Unpredictability
Group C offers a mix of known and unknown challenges for hosts Uganda. The Cranes will meet Niger, Guinea, and two teams yet to qualify. With several spots still open, the group’s final dynamics will hinge on the outcome of ongoing qualifiers involving Algeria, Comoros, Gambia, Malawi, Egypt, South Africa, and Gabon.
Group D: Defending Champions Senegal Eye Back-to-Back Glory
Defending champions Senegal headline Group D, set to face Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria. As the most recent titleholders, Senegal enters with high expectations, but they’ll face stiff resistance from seasoned opponents.
The Road Ahead
The tournament’s qualification phase continues, with seven nations vying for the final two slots in Groups C and D. The anticipation grows as Algeria, Comoros, Gambia, Malawi, Egypt, South Africa, and Gabon battle to secure their places.
A Night of Glamour in Nairobi
The draw ceremony in Nairobi was a spectacle, graced by East African football legends Hassan Wasswa (Uganda), Mrisho Ngasa (Tanzania), and McDonald Mariga (Kenya). Their presence added a touch of prestige to the event, reflecting the tournament’s importance to African football.
Groups Overview:
Group A: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia
Group B: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic
Group C: Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2
Group D: Senegal, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria
As the countdown to August 2025 begins, the 2024 CHAN promises to deliver a festival of football, celebrating Africa’s rich domestic talent and uniting the continent through the beautiful game.
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