Algeria delivered the most emphatic performance of the opening round at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), staking an early claim to the title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Uganda.
Co-hosted by Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, the tournament officially kicked off on August 2, with Algeria’s dominant display at Nelson Mandela Stadium setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested competition.
Madjid Bougherra’s side were in no mood for a tentative start, dispatching the Ugandans with authority to secure the largest winning margin of the first round.
The result not only reaffirmed Algeria’s status as one of the tournament favourites but also provided an early boost to their goal difference, propelling them to the top of Group C ahead of Guinea, who managed a narrow 1-0 win over Niger.
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— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) August 5, 2025
Morocco, another heavyweight contender, also opened their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Angola.
While not as eye-catching as Algeria’s rout, the Atlas Lions’ professional performance ensured they kept pace with their North African rivals in the race for top honours.
Tanzania, meanwhile, made an early statement on home soil by defeating Burkina Faso 2-0 in the tournament’s curtain-raiser on Sunday.
Their solid start has added an intriguing dynamic to Group B, where Burkina Faso now find themselves under pressure to recover quickly.
The opening matchday was not without its quieter moments.
The clash between Madagascar and Mauritania ended in a goalless stalemate, marking the only match out of the first eight fixtures to finish without a goal.
Nonetheless, the overall attacking intent displayed by several sides has set the stage for a competitive and entertaining group phase.
Looking ahead, much of the spotlight is likely to remain on Algeria and Morocco, who, based on the tournament bracket, can only face each other in the final—provided they both top their respective groups.
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Algeria open their #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 campaign with a statement win. ✅
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— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) August 4, 2025
Both sides will need to navigate four more group-stage fixtures successfully to set up a North African showdown that many neutrals are already anticipating as a potential highlight of the tournament.
With early results suggesting these two teams are living up to their billing as frontrunners, the dream of a Morocco-Algeria final remains very much alive.
For now, however, the focus will be on maintaining momentum as the CHAN 2024 group stage intensifies in the coming days.
