On January 15th, Nairobi’s Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) played host to the eagerly awaited 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) final draw.
The event came a day after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the postponement of the tournament to August 2024. A decision warmly welcomed by the football community. Originally slated for February 1–28, the rescheduling allows co-hosts Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania more time to prepare.
The draw was attended by high-profile figures, including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya; Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Palamagamba John Aidan Mwaluko; and Uganda’s State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang.
In a video message, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe lauded the progress made by the host nations, stating:
“The renovations of stadiums, training fields, infrastructure, hotels, and hospitals in the three countries reflect significant progress and motivation, evident during my tour.”
Kenya’s Salim Mvurya emphasized the importance of the event:
“Hosting CHAN is a great inspiration to our country and East Africa. I want to thank the Presidents of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania for their commitment and agreeing to host CHAN 2024. We welcome the decision by Dr. Motsepe and CAF to push CHAN to August, as it gives us the time and opportunity to bring out our best.”
CAF Director of Competitions Samson Adamu was joined by football legends McDonald Mariga (Kenya), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Uganda), and Mrisho Ngasa (Tanzania), who assisted with the draw.
CHAN 2024 draw results.
Group A: Kenya (co-hosts}, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia
Group B: Tanzania (co-hosts), Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic
Group C: Uganda (co-hosts), Niger, Guinea, qualifier two, qualifier one
Group D: Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville, Sudan, Nigeria
Algeria, Comoros, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, and South Africa will compete in qualifiers to determine the final two participants. Meanwhile, CAF is expected to announce the preliminary match formats and dates soon.
This marks the first time CHAN will be hosted in East Africa, with the tournament set to showcase local talent and celebrate African football culture. The total prize money for the finals is an impressive $10.4 million.
Kenyan Grammy Award-winning artist Bien Baraza electrified the audience with a performance of Kuliko Jana. Accompanied by vibrant dancers, the performance underscored the event’s celebratory mood.
As Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania gear up for CHAN, grassroots football continues to thrive. The Nairobi International Cup (NaiCup) a grassroots initiative, has been a vital part of nurturing football talent. In 2024, the tournament featured over 9,000 participants from 294 registered teams. NaiCup, in collaboration with RI Sports, SKEIYA, highlights football’s transformative power.
With CHAN 2024 just months away, East Africa is preparing for a historic festival of football that promises to unite the continent, inspire future stars, and celebrate the spirit of the game. Let the countdown begin.
