CHAN 2020: The complete official schedule for the final tournament

Cameroon is set to host the 2020 edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football and reserved exclusively for players competing in their respective domestic leagues across the continent.

On Monday, CAF officially unveiled the full schedule for the final tournament, confirming key dates and venues for the competition. As previously announced, the opening match will take place on April 4 in Yaoundé, featuring host nation Cameroon national football team against Zimbabwe. This curtain-raiser is expected to generate significant excitement, with the host country eager to begin the tournament strongly in front of home supporters.

Group A will also see Mali and Burkina Faso face each other as part of the opening phase. The group stage matches are scheduled to run until April 15, with teams competing across designated stadiums in Cameroon. During this phase, each nation will aim to secure one of the top spots in their group to qualify for the knockout rounds.

The quarter-finals are set to begin on April 17. Matches at this stage will be played across the four competition stadiums, ensuring that different host cities experience the intensity of knockout football. As the stakes rise, teams will need to demonstrate tactical discipline and consistency to advance further in the tournament.

The semi-finals will take place on April 21 and 22, narrowing the field to the two finalists. By this stage, only the most resilient and cohesive squads are expected to remain, with each match carrying enormous pressure and continental significance.

The third-place playoff is scheduled for April 24, offering the losing semi-finalists one final opportunity to finish the tournament on a positive note. The grand final will then be held on April 25 in Yaoundé, where the 2020 CHAN champion will be crowned.

Heading into the competition, Morocco national football team are the defending champions. The Atlas Lions claimed the previous edition and will aim to retain their title, though they are expected to face stiff competition from other ambitious nations.

As host, Cameroon will seek to capitalize on home advantage and deliver a strong performance. With a clear schedule now confirmed and anticipation building across the continent, the 2020 CHAN promises to showcase the depth and quality of African domestic football, highlighting emerging talents and reinforcing the importance of local leagues in the development of the game.