The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) begins this Saturday, 2 August, marking a historic milestone as the tournament is co-hosted for the first time by three nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This edition of CHAN is being viewed as a pivotal moment for African football.
Not only does it spotlight homegrown talent, but it also serves as a crucial preparatory platform for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will also be staged in the same three countries.
Dubbed “Pamoja”—the Swahili word for “unity”—the co-hosting format is a significant gesture by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to promote regional collaboration and the development of local football ecosystems.
Each country plays a distinct role in the tournament’s structure.
Tanzania will stage the opening match, Uganda will host the third-place play-off, and Kenya will take centre stage for the grand final.
This arrangement ensures that the excitement is shared across the East African region and maximises public engagement throughout the month-long tournament.
Matches will be held in five stadiums spread across four cities.
These include the Nyayo National Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, and, for the first time in a major CAF event, the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
Senegal enter the tournament as defending champions, having secured the CHAN title in 2022.
However, the field is wide open. Morocco and DR Congo, both two-time winners, are viewed as strong contenders, while Nigeria and South Africa are among the dark horses who could make a deep run in the competition.
CHAN 2024 is more than just a sporting event—it is a logistical and infrastructural trial run for the 2027 AFCON.
Organisers from all three host nations will use this opportunity to assess venue readiness, accommodation, transport, and security as they prepare for the continent’s most prestigious football tournament in two years’ time.
The curtain rises on Saturday as Tanzania face Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, setting the tone for a festival of football that is expected to unite the region and showcase the rich depth of African talent.
