Nairobi, Kenya — The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will kick off in Tanzania and conclude in Kenya, with Uganda and Zanzibar also selected as official venues for the month-long tournament.
The opening match is scheduled for August 2 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The final will take place on August 30 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi, Kenya. Uganda’s Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala will stage the third-place playoff. Zanzibar, newly added as a co-host, will hold Group D fixtures at the New Amaan Stadium.
CAF announced the decision in an official statement:
“Zanzibar has been designated as one of the Host Venues – a decision that underscores CAF’s commitment to expanding the reach and inclusivity of African football.”
The 2024 CHAN tournament marks the first time the championship will be jointly hosted by three countries. CAF has endorsed the multi-country format, aiming to enhance regional collaboration and boost local football infrastructure.
Group Stage Breakdown
CAF released the full list of venues and assigned groups as follows:
- Group A (Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia) – Nairobi, Kenya
- Group B (Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic) – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Group C (Uganda, Niger, Guinea, South Africa, Algeria) – Kampala, Uganda
- Group D (Senegal, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria) – Zanzibar, Tanzania
Each group will be based entirely in a single city to minimize travel and streamline logistics. CAF has emphasized that all stadiums meet international standards, following inspections and test events earlier this year.
Kenya Eyes Home Advantage
Kenya’s Harambee Stars are preparing to compete on home soil with rising optimism. Head coach Benni McCarthy said most of the squad will be made up of domestic-based players, in line with CHAN regulations.
In a recent interview with media sources, McCarthy emphasized team cohesion and readiness:
“Ninety percent of our team was local players… I just wanted to give them game time and help them build chemistry. They were instrumental and key in what we’re trying to do,” he said.
“I think now, for the boys playing in CHAN, they’ve seen the level expected. We’re excited, and we’ll be ready.”
McCarthy added that the team’s focus remains fixed on delivering strong results:
“Our main focus is to bless the country with more victories, more wins, to make them happy.”
Tournament Format and Background
The CHAN tournament, held every two years, features national teams composed solely of players active in their home domestic leagues. It was created by CAF to promote homegrown talent and strengthen local competitions.
This year’s edition officially the 8th will include 20 teams, up from the usual 16. The expansion was approved in 2023 to give more countries a chance to compete at continental level.
The last CHAN, held in Algeria in 2022, ended with Senegal defeating host Algeria on penalties. With this year’s matches spread across East Africa, CAF hopes to build on that momentum and grow the championship’s reach.
CAF is expected to release ticketing and broadcast information before the end of June.
Looking Ahead
The successful execution of CHAN 2024 will be a key test for the East African nations, especially as Kenya gears up for co-hosting duties again during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Preparations are underway across all venues, with stadium renovations and security coordination already in progress.
CAF will continue to monitor logistics and team preparations ahead of kick-off.
