By Aklam Buyongo
The 2024 edition of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicked off with fresh energy and historic milestones, as three East African countries — Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania — co-host the tournament for the first time.
The tournament, which began on Saturday, 2 August in Dar es Salaam with a clash between Tanzania and Burkina Faso, brings together 20 national teams made up entirely of locally-based players. It’s a rare opportunity for homegrown stars to shine on the continental stage.
One of the biggest headlines is the 75 percent increase in prize money for the winners. The new champions will walk away with USD 3.5 million, up from USD 2 million in the previous edition.
The overall prize pool now stands at USD 10.4 million — a 32 percent increase — giving teams even more incentive to go all the way.
A sleek new trophy was also unveiled, symbolizing a new chapter in the tournament’s history. It’s a fresh start for a competition that’s grown in stature and now spans four cities: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kampala and Nairobi.
The final is scheduled for 30 August at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, while the third-place playoff will take place a day earlier in Kampala.
The group stage promises fireworks, with heavyweights like Senegal, Morocco, DR Congo, Nigeria, Algeria and Zambia all in the mix.
Uganda is in a tough Group C alongside Algeria, Guinea, South Africa and Niger. Group A sees Kenya face off with Morocco, Angola, DR Congo and Zambia. Debutants Central African Republic headline Group B, while Senegal, Nigeria, Congo and Sudan battle in the competitive Group D.
CHAN 2024 isn’t just about football. CAF and its partners are leaning into cultural celebration and fan experiences across all three host countries. Ticket sales are open and fan zones are being activated to bring local communities into the action.
