Kenya will be hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship, marking a historic first for Harambee Stars in the finals.
The Harambee Stars have been pitted against two-time champions Morocco, Angola , DR Congo and Zambia in Group A of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Drawn in what many observers consider one of the toughest groups, the Kenyan national team faces a formidable challenge in their debut appearance in the tournament exclusively featuring local-based players.
The FKF Vice President MacDonald Mariga takes a leading role at the CHAN 2024 draw, showcasing his remarkable legacy.
The draws, conducted at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, saw Uganda’s Hassan Wasswa, Tanzania’s Mrisho Ngasa, and Kenya’s McDonald Mariga oversee proceedings for the eighth edition of the competition.
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The tournament is scheduled to kick off in August 2025 promising an exhilarating showcase of African football talent.
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Fans were eagerly anticipating for the upcoming CHAN 2024 tournament which was originally supposed to take place in February, but CAF have decided to postpone it.
Group B comprises co-hosts Tanzania, alongside Madagascar, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso. Meanwhile, Group C will feature co-hosts Uganda, Niger, Guinea, and two other teams to be decided in a mini-tournament. Group D will include Senegal, Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria
Hosting CHAN is a significant achievement for Kenya, following setbacks in the past. The country lost hosting rights for the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to South Africa and the 2018 CHAN to Morocco due to infrastructural inadequacies.
This time, however, the nation is determined to stage a world-class tournament. At least nine nations are expected to play in Nairobi, an exciting prospect for football enthusiasts eager to witness top-tier action.
Preparations for the event are in full swing. The 30,000-seat Nyayo Stadium has been approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), while the iconic 60,000-capacity Kasarani Stadium is nearing completion after significant renovations.
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The Kenyan government insists Nyayo Stadium is ready to host CHAN despite CAF’s decision to postpone the tournament to August 2025 amid concerns over Uganda and Kenya’s readiness.
Three training grounds – Ulinzi Sports Complex, Police Sacco Stadium, and Kasarani Annex – have also been upgraded and meet international standards.
Neighboring nations Tanzania and Uganda will support the tournament with their state-of-the-art Benjamin Mkapa and Mandela National Stadiums, respectively.
Kenya’s debut in CHAN comes with high stakes, especially given the strength of Group A.
The Harambee Stars will need to rise to the occasion, and fans are optimistic about the team’s chances.
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Morocco have halted their training camp for CHAN 2024 after the tournament was postponed to August fol
This optimism is fueled by Kenya’s growing pool of talented local players and the home advantage. While Uganda Cranes and Tanzania’s Taifa Stars have previously participated in CHAN, Kenya’s debut adds a new layer of intrigue to the competition.
The stakes are higher than ever in CHAN 2024, with a record prize pool of Sh1.3 billion (USD 10.4 million).
The winners will walk away with Sh453.25 million (USD 3.5 million) underscoring CAF’s commitment to elevating African football and rewarding excellence.
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CAF is considering a wildcard mini-tournament to determine if South Africa and Gambia could still join CHAN 2024.
The final, set for February 28, 2026, promises to be a thrilling climax to the tournament.
