Unmatched excitement grips Dar es Salaam as CHAN 2024 kicks off at Mkapa Stadium

Dar es Salaam. A wave of national pride and anticipation has swept through Benjamin Mkapa Stadium as Tanzania hosts the historic opening of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tonight.

Unlike regular domestic fixtures, this tournament opener between hosts Taifa Stars and Burkina Faso have transformed the stadium precinct into a sea of colours, chants, and tight security measures—signaling the magnitude of the event. The match kicks off at 8pm.

While the gates are usually opened early during local matches, organizers have implemented heightened security protocols for this continental showdown.

Entry has been strictly limited to accredited individuals, including match officials, media personnel, and security forces.

Despite the restrictions, thousands of fans have gathered around the venue since early afternoon, eager to witness this rare spectacle.

Their growing presence has turned the surrounding area into a buzzing carnival-like scene.

What’s particularly striking is the dominant display of patriotism. In an impressive show of unity, the vast majority of fans are proudly wearing Taifa Stars jerseys, forgoing club loyalties in favor of the national flag.

The shirts, both old and newly bought, have become a badge of honor among supporters, many of whom continue to purchase them on-site to match the national spirit.

This is the first time the CHAN tournament is being held in East Africa, and Tanzania—placed in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Central African Republic, and Mauritania—is determined to make a strong statement on home turf.

As kickoff nears, it’s clear that tonight is more than just a football match—it’s a celebration of Tanzanian identity, unity, and the country’s growing stature on the continental football stage.