Senegal, reigning champions of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), will not participate in the first round of qualifications for the 2025 tournament but will closely follow the upcoming Sierra Leone vs Liberia match as the road to CHAN 2025 begins.
The official draw for the CHAN 2025 qualifiers was conducted on Wednesday, revealing the teams set to compete in the first and second stages.
As champions, Senegal received a bye for the opening round, allowing them to focus on future opponents and the unfolding qualification process.
A total of 42 nations are competing in the initial stages of qualification, with 19 teams ultimately securing a place in the final tournament.
The competition is divided across five zones: UNAF (North Africa), WAFU A (West Africa), WAFU B (West Africa), UNIFFAC (East and Central Africa), CECAFA (Central and East Africa), and COSAFA (Southern Africa).
Each zone will see three nations qualify for the main tournament, except for UNAF, where three teams have already secured their spots due to the withdrawals of Algeria and Egypt.
For Senegal, this phase offers a chance to assess potential future opponents. Sierra Leone and Liberia, both strong West African teams, will clash in what promises to be a highly competitive matchup. Senegal will be closely monitoring the outcome, as it could shape their path through the qualifiers.
The 8th edition of CHAN is set to take place from February 1 to 28, 2025, across three East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This marks the first time the tournament will be hosted across multiple nations in the region, adding an extra layer of excitement to the prestigious competition.
CHAN 2025 will feature teams composed solely of players competing in their home countries’ domestic leagues, setting it apart from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in terms of both format and player eligibility.
Senegal’s journey to defending their title may not begin immediately, but anticipation is building as they prepare for the competition.
Their success in 2023 has set high expectations, and with a strong squad of local talent, they will be looking to make a deep run once again.
For now, all eyes are on the qualification rounds, and the Sierra Leone vs Liberia match could play a crucial role in shaping the tournament’s landscape.
2024 African Nations Championship qualifiers’ draw results:
WAFU A. ✅ pic.twitter.com/GqSAB5qygw
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) October 9, 2024
