The excitement is palpable as Kenya, alongside co-hosts Tanzania and Uganda, gears up for the historic CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024.
This year’s tournament, which kicks off today, promises to be an unforgettable event, marked by a record-breaking prize pool, a stunning new trophy, and a first-ever triple-nation hosting format.
For the first time in the competition’s history, the continent’s premier tournament for locally-based players will be jointly hosted by three nations.
The three host nations—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—will stage matches across four cities: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kampala, and Nairobi, with the grand finale set to take place right here at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The tournament is already making headlines with a 75% increase in prize money for the champions, who will now walk away with a whopping USD 3.5 million.
The total prize pool has also seen a significant boost, growing by 32% to USD 10.4 million. This unprecedented financial reward is a testament to the growing prestige of CHAN and will undoubtedly fuel a fierce competition on the pitch.
A brand-new, sleekly designed trophy has also been unveiled, symbolizing the tournament’s evolution. Featuring a blend of gold and silver with 54 lines representing each of Africa’s member associations and a map of Africa at its core, the trophy embodies unity, diversity, and progress.
The action begins today, August 2, with the opening match between Tanzania and Burkina Faso at 20h00 in Dar es Salaam.
But for Kenyan fans, all eyes will be on the Harambee Stars, who make their debut in the tournament on Sunday, August 3, against two-time winners DR Congo at the Moi International Sports Centre.
Kenya finds itself in what is arguably the “Group of Death,” Group A, alongside continental powerhouses Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia.
While the competition will be tough, the home advantage could provide the crucial edge the Harambee Stars need to advance.
The tournament is a showcase for the next generation of African football stars and is expected to be a month-long celebration of culture, community, and sporting excellence.
With the third-place playoff slated for Kampala on August 29, the stage is set for a truly spectacular final in Nairobi on August 30.
The CHAN PAMOJA 2024 is not just a tournament; it’s a festival of African football, and as Kenyans, we are proud to be at the heart of this historic event. Let the games begin!
Group Breakdown:
- Group A (Nairobi): Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia
- Group B (Dar es Salaam): Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic
- Group C (Kampala): Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Algeria, South Africa
- Group D (Zanzibar): Senegal, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria
