By Fidel Boy Leon
Africa’s football rhythm is changing, and East Africa is leading the new dance. As the region steps onto the continental stage to host the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, it does so not just as a venue, but as a visionary collaborator.
Under the unifying banner of “Pamoja”, Swahili for together, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania are proving that shared purpose, infrastructure, and pride can transform sport into a symbol of unity.
This tournament, exclusively for players active in their domestic leagues, is more than a celebration of football talent. It’s a continental display of cultural heritage, regional ambition, and a new era of East African leadership.
With the Nelson Mandela Stadium (Namboole) newly upgraded and ready for action, Uganda will host Group C, which includes Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Algeria, and South Africa. The country will also stage the third-place playoff, cementing its central role in the tournament.
Already, Niger’s team has arrived in Kampala, joining the growing wave of delegations spreading the CHAN excitement across host cities.
From hotel lobbies to stadium training grounds, the buzz is undeniable. Uganda’s preparations reflect not only logistical readiness but a deep cultural embrace of the Pamoja spirit.
As excitement builds for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have unveiled the final group allocations and venues for the continental tournament, scheduled to run from August 2nd to 30th, 2025.
Group A will be based in Kenya, with matches played at Kasarani Stadium and Nyayo Stadium. The group features Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia. The much-anticipated opener between hosts Kenya and DR Congo is set for August 3rd at Kasarani, which will also host the final and closing ceremony on August 30th.
Group B action will unfold in Tanzania at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The group includes Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. Tanzania will kick off the tournament with the official opening match and ceremony against Burkina Faso on August 2nd.
Group C, featuring Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Algeria, and South Africa, will be based at Nelson Mandela Stadium (Namboole) in Kampala. Uganda will not only host the group matches but will also stage the third-place playoff at the same venue.
Group D, widely seen as the “group of death,” brings together defending champions Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville, Sudan, and Nigeria. All matches will be held at the recently renovated Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
As teams arrive and flags rise across Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Kampala, CHAN 2024 is visibly transforming East Africa’s landscape. From the branded airports and hotels to revamped stadiums and training grounds, the event has already elevated infrastructure and inspired local pride.
While the tournament offers a platform for thrilling matches and emerging stars, its impact reaches far beyond the pitch. By spotlighting locally-based players, CHAN strengthens domestic talent pipelines and nurtures the future of African football.
At the same time, host cities benefit from increased economic activity, as infrastructure projects, tourism, and service industries receive a significant boost. Most importantly, the tournament reaffirms Africa’s growing capability to host world-class events, signalling to the world that the continent is ready to lead, not just participate.
“This isn’t just a tournament, it’s a shared celebration of heritage, identity, and possibility,” a CHAN delegate remarked.
From the stunning backdrops of the Serengeti and Rwenzori, to the warmth of urban host communities, CHAN 2024 promises to be a festival of sport woven with culture and powered by unity.