The 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) has reached the quarter-final stage, with the co-hosting nations — Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda — all advancing in historic fashion after a dramatic final round of group matches.
For the first time in Confederation of African Football (CAF) history, a major tournament is being jointly staged by three countries, and fittingly, all three have ensured the festival of football continues in front of sold-out stadiums across East Africa. The tournament’s theme, “Pamoja” (Swahili for together), has truly come alive.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars have emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. Making their CHAN debut, the hosts topped Group A after Ryan Ogam’s late strike sealed a 1-0 victory over Zambia.
Under head coach Benni McCarthy, Kenya conceded just once in four matches, displaying defensive resilience and tactical discipline. They will now remain in Nairobi to face Madagascar on Friday at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, with home support turning them from underdogs into genuine contenders.
Tanzania’s Taifa Stars matched their co-hosts by finishing top of Group B with 10 points from four games. Their attacking style and consistency made them one of the standout teams of the group stage, their only blemish coming in a dead rubber against the Central African Republic.
They now face a stern test against Morocco, two-time CHAN winners, on Friday evening at Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium — a clash billed as one of the ties of the round.
Uganda’s Cranes finally shattered their long-standing CHAN curse, reaching the knockout phase for the first time after six failed attempts. A thrilling 3-3 draw with South Africa in Kampala, capped by Rogers Torach’s stoppage-time penalty, saw them top Group C with seven points.
Their reward is a quarter-final meeting with defending champions Senegal on Saturday night at the Mandela National Stadium — a match expected to draw one of the tournament’s largest crowds.
Group D concluded in Zanzibar, where Sudan and Senegal played out a tense 0-0 draw that ensured both sides progressed. Sudan, unbeaten under Kwesi Appiah, topped the group on goal difference, while holders Senegal advanced as runners-up.
Sudan will now meet Algeria in Zanzibar on Saturday afternoon, while Senegal travel to Kampala for their high-stakes showdown with Uganda.
CHAN 2024 Quarter-Final Fixtures
Friday, 22 August 2025
- Kenya vs Madagascar – 17:00, Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi
- Tanzania vs Morocco – 20:00, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam
Saturday, 23 August 2025
- Sudan vs Algeria – 17:00, Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar City
- Uganda vs Senegal – 20:00, Mandela National Stadium, Kampala
