Tanzania ready for CHAN 2024 kickoff as teams set to arrive

Tanzania Mainland will serve as the host for Group B matches, all of which will take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Meanwhile, Zanzibar will host Group D matches at the New Amaan Complex. The tournament officially kicks off on August 2, 2025.

Group B features Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, and host nation Tanzania Mainland. Group D includes continental powerhouses Senegal, Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria.

In addition to the Tanzanian venues, the 2024 CHAN will be jointly hosted by Uganda and Kenya. Group A matches will be played in Nairobi, Kenya, featuring the host Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia. Group C will be based in Kampala, Uganda, and will include Uganda (hosts), Niger, Guinea, South Africa, and Algeria.

The tournament's opening match will see Tanzania Mainland take on Burkina Faso at 8:00 p.m. local time on August 2 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The match will also serve as the official opening ceremony for the championship.

Speaking to The Citizen on Wednesday July 2, 2025,  Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports and also the Chief Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa confirmed that all preparations have been finalized.

“As the opening ceremony will be held in Tanzania Mainland, we are expecting to welcome many football dignitaries even before the match. The preparations are complete, and we are ready,” said Msigwa.

He added that the CHAN organizing committee, in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has finalized all logistics.

“All hotels, training grounds, and medical facilities are in place and fully equipped. CAF inspectors conducted thorough evaluations, covering accommodation for teams and officials, medical preparedness, and other logistical arrangements. They expressed satisfaction with what they saw,” he said.

Msigwa emphasized Tanzania’s readiness, particularly in health and safety, an essential element for any international sporting event. “We are in a strong position medically, and all our hotels are ready. Now, we are simply waiting for the tournament to begin.”

The 2024 CHAN is a prestigious biennial tournament organized by CAF and features national teams composed exclusively of players who play in their home countries' domestic leagues. It is distinct from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which includes players based both locally and abroad.

CAF has designated Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium in Kampala to host the third and fourth playoff matches of the tournament. Meanwhile, Kenya’s Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will be the venue for the final match, scheduled for August 30, 2025.

The joint hosting of CHAN 2024 by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda marks a significant milestone in East African football. It reflects the growing capacity and ambition of the region to host major continental events.

The tournament is expected to attract thousands of fans from across Africa and beyond, boosting tourism and offering a platform for showcasing local football talent. It also provides an opportunity for the region’s football administrators to demonstrate their ability to stage international tournaments at the highest standards.

As the countdown to the championship continues, anticipation is building, and the East African host nations are gearing up for what promises to be a spectacular celebration of African football.