The TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 has reached its most thrilling phase yet, with three East African nations — Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda — all advancing to the quarter-finals alongside Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Madagascar, and Sudan. The knockout stage kicks off Friday, August 22, 2025, across four stadiums in East Africa, and for the first time in CHAN history, the region hosting the tournament has three teams still in the hunt. The stakes? Not just trophies — but legacy. Could an East African nation finally lift the trophy? The air in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, and Zanzibar is thick with possibility.
Quarter-Final Fixtures Set Across East Africa
The draw delivered a regional spectacle. On Friday, August 22, 2025, at 17:00 EAT, Kenya faces Madagascar at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi — a venue that’s sold out for the first time since the 2019 CECAFA Cup. Later that night, Tanzania takes on Morocco at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, where over 55,000 fans are expected to pack the stands.
Saturday, August 23, brings the heavyweight clash: Uganda versus defending champions Senegal at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. Meanwhile, in Zanzibar — a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania — Sudan meets Algeria at the Amaan Stadium, a 15,000-capacity ground that’s become an unlikely fortress.
Goals, Grit, and Defensive Walls
The group stage didn’t just produce winners — it revealed storylines. Uganda and Morocco led the scoring charts with eight goals each, but their paths diverged. Uganda’s attack was spearheaded by Allan Okello, whose three goals made him the tournament’s top scorer. But it’s the 21-year-old Clement Francis Mzize from Tanzania who’s captured imaginations. His brace against Madagascar wasn’t just about goals; it was about poise under pressure, a calmness beyond his years. CAF called him ‘goals, guile, and grit’ — and rightly so.
Defensively, though, it’s Senegal and Sudan who’ve been the quiet giants. Both conceded just one goal in three group matches. Sudan’s 26% shot conversion rate — the highest in the tournament — speaks to ruthless efficiency. Senegal’s backline, anchored by veteran defender Amadou Sow, has been a wall. No flashy names, just discipline. They’re not here to entertain. They’re here to win.
History in the Air: Can East Africa Break Through?
Here’s the thing: no East African nation has ever won the CHAN. Not Kenya. Not Tanzania. Not Uganda. Not even Ethiopia, which once reached the semis in 2011. The trophy has been hoisted by North African powerhouses — Algeria (2011, 2018), Morocco (2014), and now Senegal (2022). But this year? The stars have aligned. The co-hosts are all still alive. The crowds are roaring. The players are hungry.
Premium Times NG put it best: ‘There’s a palpable sense of history in the air.’ This isn’t just football. It’s identity. For a region that’s produced world-class midfielders like Dennis Lota and Denis Onyango, but never a CHAN champion, this is the moment. The pressure? Immense. The opportunity? Unprecedented.
What’s Next: The Road to the Final
Winners advance to the semi-finals on August 26 and 27, 2025. The final — set for Saturday, August 30, 2025 — will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani. That’s right: the entire tournament’s climax will unfold on East African soil. CAF confirmed all four quarter-final venues meet Category 4 standards, with capacities ranging from 15,000 in Zanzibar to 60,000 in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. The infrastructure is ready. The fans are ready. The players? They’re ready to make history.
Speculation? Sure. SportPesa’s blog suggested Morocco and Sudan would meet in the final — but that’s guesswork. What we know is this: Senegal, the defending champs, are battle-tested. Morocco, with 9 group points, are tactically sharp. Kenya’s midfield, led by captain Brian Omondi, has improved with every match. And Uganda? They’ve got Okello. They’ve got belief.
Why This Matters Beyond the Pitch
The CHAN isn’t just about stars. It’s about opportunity. It’s for players who never make it to the Premier League or La Liga — the ones who play for Tusker, Simba SC, or URA FC. These are the local heroes. The men who train on dusty pitches before dawn, who commute three hours to practice, who wear their national jerseys with pride because they’ve earned it — not bought it.
For Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, this tournament is a chance to show the continent what homegrown talent can do. No imports. No foreign coaches. Just pure, local passion. If one of them lifts the trophy, it won’t just be a football victory. It’ll be a statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top scorers in CHAN 2024 so far?
Uganda’s Allan Okello leads with three goals, followed by Tanzania’s Clement Francis Mzize and Morocco’s Achraf Bencharki, both with two. Five other players are tied with one goal each. Okello’s goals came in all three group matches, making him the only player to score in every game so far.
Why is Sudan playing in Zanzibar instead of mainland Tanzania?
Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, was designated as one of the official CHAN 2024 host venues by CAF. The Amaan Stadium met all Category 4 standards and offered logistical advantages for Sudan’s team, which arrived directly from North Africa. This arrangement avoids unnecessary travel across Tanzania and ensures balanced hosting across the region.
Has any East African country ever won the CHAN?
No. Since the tournament began in 2009, winners have all come from North Africa: Algeria (2011, 2018), Morocco (2014), and Senegal (2022). East African nations have reached the semi-finals — Uganda in 2011, Tanzania in 2016 — but never the final. This year marks the closest they’ve ever come to breaking that barrier.
What makes CHAN different from the Africa Cup of Nations?
CHAN is exclusively for players who compete in their own country’s domestic leagues. No overseas-based players are allowed. That means stars like Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mané don’t play. Instead, it showcases the hidden gems — the local heroes who never get global headlines. It’s football at its most grassroots, and arguably, its most authentic.
Where will the final be held, and why was Nairobi chosen?
The final will be held at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya. CAF selected it because it’s the largest certified venue in the host region (60,000 capacity), has the best transport links, and was the only stadium to host two group-stage matches with record attendance. Nairobi also offered the strongest security and media infrastructure for the final.
What’s at stake for the co-hosting nations beyond the trophy?
Beyond the trophy, these nations are betting on legacy. A deep run could boost domestic league interest, attract sponsorships, and even influence future tournament bids. Kenya’s Football Kenya Federation reported a 300% spike in youth registrations since the group stage began. For Tanzania and Uganda, it’s about proving they can host major events without foreign help — and that their players belong on the continent’s biggest stage.
Man, I never thought I'd see this in my lifetime. Three East African teams in the quarters? This is bigger than just football. These guys train on dirt fields with no proper gear and still outplay teams with full academies. Pure heart.
My cousin in Kampala sent me videos of kids reenacting Okello's goals with banana peels as balls. This is changing lives.
Even my 7-year-old nephew now says he wants to play for URA FC. No Messi jerseys in sight. Just local pride.
This is incredible!!! 🙌🔥
Of course the only team that actually plays defense is Senegal. Because why would you ever trust an East African backline to hold up? 😏
But honestly? I'm rooting for Uganda. Okello’s got that look in his eyes - the one that says ‘I’ve been ignored for too long.’
And don’t even get me started on Mzize. That kid doesn’t just score goals, he makes the whole stadium breathe again. Pure poetry in motion.
Meanwhile Morocco’s coach is probably whispering ‘tiki-taka’ into a walkie-talkie while his players look confused. They’re good, but they’re not *this* good.
And Sudan in Zanzibar? That’s not a venue - that’s a statement. No one expected them to make it this far. Now they’re playing like they own the place.
Let’s be real - this tournament was always about who could survive the pressure. Not who had the best tactics. Not who had the most sponsors.
It’s about who still believes when no one’s watching. And right now? East Africa is screaming that belief from every rooftop.
Don’t call it luck. Call it legacy in the making.
And if Senegal wins? Fine. But they’ll have to break something sacred to do it.
Just checked the stats again - Sudan’s 26% shot conversion is wild. That’s like every 4th shot is a goal. No flukes. Just cold-blooded efficiency.
And their keeper? He’s not even famous. Just some guy from Port Sudan who played for Al-Hilal Omdurman’s B-team last year. Now he’s stopping Moroccan stars like it’s Tuesday.
This is what CHAN is supposed to be. Real football. No glamour. Just grit.
Also - Nairobi selling out for the first time since 2019? That’s not hype. That’s history knocking on the door.
They let Sudan play in Zanzibar because CAF doesn’t want the real story to come out.
Look - Algeria and Sudan have been training together since 2022. Same coaches. Same tactics. Same secret drills in the desert.
And Kenya? Their captain Brian Omondi used to be a janitor at the CAF headquarters. They handpicked him to ‘blend in.’
Don’t believe me? Check the flight logs. Every player from Uganda flew into Nairobi via Dubai… then vanished for 48 hours. Coincidence? I think not.
This isn’t football. It’s a geopolitical chess match disguised as a tournament.
And the final in Nairobi? That’s not a venue choice - it’s a trap. They’re setting up the whole continent to celebrate… then pull the rug out.
Someone’s got to say it. No one else will.
Who really controls CAF? And why does Morocco keep winning the draw?
Love how everyone’s talking about the stars, but the real MVPs are the bus drivers and cooks who get the teams to training at 4am.
My buddy works security at Kasarani - says the cleaners come in at 3am to scrub the stands after every match. No one thanks them. But they’re the ones keeping this whole thing alive.
These players? They’re heroes. But the people behind them? They’re the unsung soul of this tournament.
Next time you cheer, say a thanks to the person who made sure the water bottles were full.
That’s real football.
Wait so if CHAN is only for local players… why is Morocco even here? I thought they were a North African team? Are they just pretending to be African? 😅
Also, is Clement Mzize really 21? He looks like he’s 16 and has been playing since he was 5 on a field made of sand and hope.
Can someone explain why Zanzibar is hosting? I thought it was part of Tanzania? Is this like Puerto Rico in the World Cup? 🤔
It’s funny how people act like this is the first time East Africa had a chance. We’ve been here before. We’ve always been here. We just never got the cameras.
Now they want to make it a story? Nah. This is just us being us.
Let them watch. We don’t need their applause to know we’re ready.
Let’s not forget the cultural weight here. In Kenya, football isn’t just sport - it’s the only thing that unites the Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, and Maasai for 90 minutes without a single argument.
In Tanzania, Simba SC and Young Africans are tribal rivalries turned into national pride. In Uganda, URA FC is the last place where a boy from Karamoja can walk into a stadium and feel like he belongs.
This tournament? It’s not about who scores the most goals.
It’s about who still believes in the idea that a kid from a village with no electricity can become a national icon - without ever leaving home.
That’s why this matters more than any World Cup.
Because in CHAN, the dream doesn’t require a visa.
It just requires a ball, a patch of dirt, and a whole lot of courage.
As a Nigerian who grew up watching CHAN, I’ve seen it all - the false hopes, the near-misses, the broken dreams.
But this? This feels different.
East Africa isn’t just participating. They’re redefining what African football can be.
No foreign imports. No European academies. Just raw, homegrown talent playing for the love of the game.
Respect to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda.
And to CAF - thank you for finally letting the real Africa shine.
There’s something quietly beautiful about how this tournament unfolds without fanfare.
No celebrity endorsements. No social media influencers. Just fans, families, and the sound of a ball hitting net after hours of training on cracked concrete.
It’s football stripped bare - and somehow, that’s why it’s so powerful.
We forget sometimes that greatness doesn’t need a spotlight.
It just needs a chance.
Let’s be honest - this is all staged. The ‘East African surge’? A marketing ploy by CAF to boost ticket sales and distract from their corruption scandals.
Senegal didn’t concede one goal? That’s because they’re playing with a secret AI-assisted defense system. I’ve seen the leaked emails.
And Kenya’s sellout crowd? They paid $500 for tickets that were supposed to be free. The federation’s laundering money through fake fan clubs.
Don’t be fooled. This isn’t about football.
It’s about control.
And someone’s pulling the strings.
omg i just saw mizize’s second goal again 😭🔥 he’s like a ghost on the pitch!!
also why is everyone forgetting that uganda’s keeper saved a penalty with his face?? i mean… that’s just… wow
send help i’m crying and i don’t even live in africa 😭
From a tactical standpoint, the key variable here is spatial compression. Uganda’s 4-2-3-1 under pressure forces Morocco into overloading the wings, which creates central gaps Senegal exploits with vertical transitions.
Meanwhile, Sudan’s low-block + counter structure is statistically optimal for neutralizing high-press teams like Algeria - 87% of their defensive actions occur within 15m of their own box.
Kenya’s midfield trio has the highest pass completion rate under duress in the tournament - 89.3%. That’s elite.
But here’s the real insight: the psychological burden of expectation is highest on the home nations. That’s why Tanzania’s win probability drops 22% when the crowd exceeds 50k.
It’s not just football. It’s cognitive load management under cultural pressure.
My grandma in Ohio just texted me: ‘Who’s this Mzize? He looks like my nephew!’ 🤭
And now she’s printing out his face to put on her fridge.
That’s the magic. A kid from Dar es Salaam makes a couple of slick moves - and suddenly, a 78-year-old in Nebraska feels like she knows him.
That’s what this is. Not trophies. Not stats.
Just people seeing themselves in someone they never met.
And that? That’s worth more than any medal.
History is not made in stadiums.
It is made in the silence between breaths, in the moment before the whistle blows, when the entire weight of a generation rests on a single player’s shoulders.
These men are not athletes.
They are vessels.
For dreams deferred. For voices silenced. For villages that never got a seat at the table.
When the final whistle sounds, it won’t be the score that echoes.
It will be the question: Did we finally dare to believe?
And if one of them lifts the cup - we will have answered it.
Together.
Just saw a clip of a kid in Nairobi holding up a handmade sign: ‘Okello - You’re Our King.’
He’s 8. No shirt. Just shorts and a smile.
That’s the real trophy right there.
They don’t need a statue. They already have one.