The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), postponed to August 2025, is the 8th edition of the biennial football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This edition will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from August 2 to August 30, 2025, marking the first time three countries will co-host the tournament.
CAF is using the tournament as a rehearsal for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in the same three countries.
Initially set to be held from February 1-28, 2025, the tournament was postponed due to infrastructure delays and the need for additional qualifying rounds after nations like Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Gabon withdrew from the tournament despite qualifying for the tournament.
The tournament includes 19 teams, all featuring players who play exclusively in their domestic leagues and is a platform to showcase the quality of homegrown talent.
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CHAN Hosting Nations
Kenya
Kenya will host the final match at the Moi International Sports Centre (Kasarani) Stadium in Nairobi on August 30, 2025, and all Group A matches featuring Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia.
Despite earlier challenges in preparing for the tournament, the country has renovated the Nyayo National Stadium and Kasarani Stadium, with over Ksh2.58 billion allocated for upgrades.
Kenya’s hosting rights for Group D matches were withdrawn due to inadequate training facilities, with only a few venues like Ulinzi Sports Complex and Kenya Police Sacco grounds confirmed to be ready or near completion. As a result, Group D matches have been relocated to Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium.
Nyayo National Stadium, located in the heart of Nairobi, is the main stadium in Kenya and has a sitting capacity of 30,000 people.
Moi International Sports Centre (Kasarani) Stadium is a multi-purpose complex with a 60,000-seat arena with VIP lounges and hospitality suites.
Despite concerns about delays, Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed the government paid a Ksh1.6 billion hosting fee to CAF, and preparations are ongoing.
Tanzania has declared its infrastructure ready, while Uganda’s venues have also been approved.
Uganda
Uganda has upgraded its sports infrastructure, with several facilities including the Namboole Stadium having already secured CAF’s approval for the CHAN tournament.
Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, with a capacity of 45,202, will host the third-place playoff and Group C matches, including teams like Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Algeria, and South Africa.
Tanzania
In Tanzania, the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will primarily utilize the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, with a capacity of 60,000, will host the opening match of the tournament and Group B matches, featuring teams such as Tanzania, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
The Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, with a capacity of 15,000, will host Group D matches, marking its debut in a major CAF tournament. Group D of the African Nations Championship includes Nigeria, Senegal, Congo and Sudan.
These venues have been confirmed ready by CAF, with Tanzania’s infrastructure preparations well-advanced for the co-hosted event alongside Kenya and Uganda.
CAF Format
The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, followed by semi-finals, a third-place playoff, and the final.
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Historically, DR Congo and Morocco have won the tournament twice each, while Tunisia, Libya, and Senegal have one title each.
Prize money has been increased, with the winner set to receive Ksh452.8 million. Hosting CHAN is expected to boost tourism, promote local talent, and enhance East Africa’s football infrastructure.
“I am impressed with the ongoing construction and renovations of the football infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. I am confident that the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals, and other infrastructure and facilities will be at the requisite CAF standards for hosting, in August 2025, a very successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship.” CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe stated in Nairobi, Kenya, during the official draw.
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