Tanzania is gearing up to kick off the much-anticipated 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Saturday, August 2, as it welcomes Burkina Faso for the opening match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
In a groundbreaking development, this year’s tournament is being co-hosted for the first time by three East African nations—Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda—in a logistical and sporting collaboration that will also serve as a key dress rehearsal for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN).
The championship brings together 19 national teams, all composed exclusively of players active in their respective domestic leagues, competing for continental glory and the chance to dethrone reigning champions Senegal.
The teams have been split into four competitive groups:
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Group A, based in Kenya, features football heavyweights including Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Angola, and host nation Kenya.
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Group B, hosted in Dar es Salaam, will see Tanzania face off against Mauritania, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.
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Group C matches will unfold in Kampala, with Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Algeria, and South Africa battling for a quarterfinal slot.
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Group D, considered by many to be the “group of death,” includes Senegal, Nigeria, Congo, and Sudan.
The championship will culminate with the final match scheduled for August 30 in Nairobi, while the third-place playoff will take place in Kampala.
As the tournament begins, the co-hosts hope to deliver not only a celebration of African football but also a proof of regional unity and coordination, setting the stage for future mega-events on the continent.
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