Host nations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) — Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania — will fine-tune their squads in a four-nation preparatory tournament taking place from July 21 to 27 in Arusha, Tanzania.
Organised by CECAFA, the East and Central Africa football governing body, the tournament is designed to offer valuable match experience ahead of CHAN, which kicks off in early August.
“The main objective of this competition is to provide our regional teams with a valuable platform to best prepare for the African Nations Championship,” said Auka John Gecheo, Executive Director of CECAFA. “It allows the coaches to assess their squads in a competitive environment and address any tactical gaps before the tournament begins.”
In addition to the three CHAN co-hosts, Congo will also participate. Recently reinstated by FIFA following the lifting of a suspension, the Congolese side will seize the opportunity to regain competitive rhythm ahead of their group stage opener in August.
Kenya’s head coach Benni McCarthy welcomed the initiative, highlighting the benefits of such high-stakes encounters in the run-up to the continental showpiece.
“It will really be a great opportunity to see the players in a real competitive environment,” McCarthy said. “It is also an opportunity for us to evaluate the systems we have in place and observe the reaction under match pressure. This is crucial to create the necessary momentum before our first match.”
The warm-up event will follow a round-robin format, with each side facing the others once.
The structure is expected to simulate tournament conditions, offering coaching staff a chance to rotate players and fine-tune strategies.
CHAN 2024 itself is scheduled to begin shortly after the friendly tournament concludes.
Tanzania will open their campaign against Burkina Faso on August 2.
Kenya take on the Democratic Republic of Congo on August 3, Uganda meet Algeria on August 4, while Congo round off the first matchday against Sudan on August 5.
With less than a month remaining before the official kick-off, the Arusha-based mini-tournament will be a critical stepping stone in each team’s preparation, providing a clearer picture of squad cohesion, tactical readiness, and player form as the continent’s top home-based talent prepares for the spotlight.
