A vibrant display of culture, colour and music marked the official opening of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The tournament, which brings together national teams composed exclusively of players from their respective domestic leagues, kicked off in emphatic style with an elaborate ceremony celebrating African heritage. The event preceded the opening match between hosts Tanzania and Burkina Faso.
As one of three co-host nations—alongside Uganda and Kenya—Tanzania set a high standard with a ceremony that blended traditional performance art and modern entertainment.
Flags representing each participating nation were paraded across the pitch, accompanied by a dynamic mix of African rhythms and choreography. The fanfare transformed the stadium into a festive arena, drawing loud cheers from the packed stands.
The celebrations were designed not only to welcome the continent’s top homegrown footballing talent but also to highlight the unity and diversity of African nations. The ceremony featured dancers clad in vibrant traditional attire, live drumming, and a cascade of colourful visuals that lit up the stadium in a striking prelude to the match.
As the opening fixture unfolded, all eyes turned to the Tanzanian national team, who took on Burkina Faso in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
The encounter marked the beginning of what promises to be a fiercely contested tournament, with all participating teams aiming for regional glory and the chance to showcase domestic footballing excellence.
The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, a modern 60,000-capacity venue, served as the ideal backdrop for the launch of the tournament.
With flags fluttering and music echoing through the stands, the atmosphere captured the essence of what CHAN represents: a celebration of African football rooted in local identity and pride.
Although the spotlight was primarily on the pitch, the ceremony left a lasting impression with viewers both in the stadium and across the continent.
A video clip capturing the highlights of the opening celebration has since circulated widely online, giving fans a taste of the visual spectacle that launched the tournament.
With Uganda and Kenya set to host upcoming group stage matches, the stage is now set for weeks of top-tier action as CHAN 2024 unfolds across East Africa. Each host nation will be looking to deliver both on and off the field, with Tanzania’s impressive start raising the bar for what’s to come.
As the competition begins in earnest, the focus will now shift to the performances of the participating teams. But for many fans, the opening ceremony will remain a standout moment—an emphatic reminder of the cultural richness and communal spirit that defines African football.
Un aperçu de l’ouverture. Maintenant, préparez-vous, ça commence ! 🤩🌍
Achetez vos #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 billets ici. 👉 https://t.co/rqo9PktFVipic.twitter.com/n4Ll3eSogh
— CAF – FR (@caf_online_FR) August 2, 2025
