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.