Two-time champions Morocco have become the first team to arrive for the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), officially kicking off the build-up to what promises to be a thrilling tournament jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Atlas Lions touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi at 4:00 am local time on Monday, receiving a lively East African welcome filled with traditional dancers, music, and fanfare.
With their sights firmly set on making history as the first nation to win the CHAN title three times, the North African giants are wasting no time in acclimatizing to their new surroundings.
“We are excited to be here and ready for CHAN. I already love Nairobi—the weather is great, and we are looking forward to a successful tournament,” said defender Marouane Louadni of AS FAR.
Morocco’s early arrival underscores their ambition, as they prepare to navigate a tough Group A featuring hosts Kenya, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia. Their campaign begins on Sunday against Angola at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Winners of the tournament in 2018 (on home soil) and again in 2021 (in Cameroon), Morocco are one of only two nations to have lifted the CHAN trophy twice—the other being DR Congo, who also feature in Group A.
With a blend of tactical experience and local league talent, Morocco enter the tournament as one of the strong favourites.
The Atlas Lions head into the competition following an intensive pre-tournament camp that included two friendlies against Burkina Faso and a commanding 6–0 win over Chad during the last FIFA international window. The preparation phase reflects a team both physically and mentally ready for battle.
With less than a week to go before the CHAN 2024 officially kicks off on August 2, excitement is building across Nairobi. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have begun ticket sales, and fans across the city are gearing up for what is set to be one of the largest football events ever hosted in Kenya.
The CHAN tournament, which runs through August 30, is reserved exclusively for players active in their respective national leagues, offering a crucial stage for homegrown talent to shine.
Matches will be played across various venues in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—a strategic rehearsal ahead of the region’s co-hosting duties for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Following Morocco’s lead, the remaining Group A teams are expected to arrive in the coming days. Zambia is scheduled to land in Nairobi on Tuesday, while Angola and DR Congo will arrive on Thursday afternoon.
As the first team on the ground, Morocco will be hoping their head start provides the momentum needed to chase a record third CHAN crown—an achievement that would firmly cement their place in tournament history.
