Tanzania and Burkina Faso will meet in the opening fixture of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) this Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, with both sides aiming to break new ground in the tournament’s history.
Kick-off is set for 8:00 p.m. local time in Tanzania (GMT+3), which corresponds to 5:00 p.m. in Burkina Faso and 7:00 p.m. in France.
The highly anticipated encounter will be broadcast live on Azam Sports for viewers in Tanzania, while Canal+ Sport 1 will air the match in Burkina Faso. As of now, no official broadcaster has been announced for the French audience.
For Tanzania, co-hosting this edition of CHAN brings added pressure and excitement. The Taifa Stars A’ will be looking to finally move past the group stage for the first time in their CHAN history.
In their two previous appearances — the inaugural edition in 2009 and the 2020 tournament — Tanzania finished third in their group on both occasions, falling just a single point short of qualifying for the knockout rounds. Despite competitive performances, their early exits have left fans yearning for more.
This year, playing on home soil, Tanzania will hope that the support of the local crowd at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium can provide the crucial edge needed to advance beyond the group phase for the very first time.
Their preparations have been focused, with the coaching staff emphasizing defensive solidity and creativity in attack — two aspects that have historically been areas of concern in past campaigns.
On the other side, Burkina Faso also enter the tournament with a point to prove. Despite having featured in three editions of CHAN — in 2014, 2018, and 2020 — the Stallions have never progressed beyond the group stage.
Like Tanzania, their previous attempts ended in disappointment, but this edition presents a fresh opportunity to rewrite their tournament history.
This match will also mark the first-ever meeting between Tanzania and Burkina Faso at the CHAN, adding another layer of intrigue to an already pivotal showdown.
With only the top two teams from each group earning a place in the knockout stages, Saturday’s clash carries significant implications. A win would not only boost confidence but place the victor in a strong position to progress.
For both nations, the stakes are high. CHAN, a tournament reserved for players competing in their domestic leagues, serves as a vital platform for unearthing local talent and enhancing national pride.
This year’s competition promises to be as competitive as ever, and for Tanzania and Burkina Faso, the journey begins with a chance to make a long-awaited breakthrough.
As the countdown continues, all eyes turn to Dar es Salaam, where history awaits one of these two determined sides.
CHAN 2024- Issa Balboné, entraîneur des Étalons A’ en conférence de presse avant le match contre la Tanzanie :
«Le Burkina s’est très bien préparé, et ça va se sentir dès le premier match. Notre objectif est de faire une belle compétition et d’aller le plus loin possible. » pic.twitter.com/aweQEitEEO
— FasoSports (@fasosports18) August 1, 2025
