CAF Unveils Match Fixtures for 2024 CHAN: Kenya to Face DR Congo in Opening Game

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with the Local Organising Committees from the host countries of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, has officially announced the match schedule for the eagerly awaited 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) set to take place in August.

The eighth edition of this biennial tournament, organised by CAF, will showcase national teams comprising players actively participating in their respective domestic leagues. The event is scheduled to commence on August 2nd and conclude on August 30th.

The tournament will kick off on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, featuring a match between the co-host, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, starting at 20:00 local time.

On Sunday, August 3rd, Nairobi is set to host two matches. The Kenyan team, managed by South African coach Benni McCarthy, will play their first game against the Democratic Republic of Congo at Moi International Sport Centre, Kasarani, at 15:00 local time. Later, Morocco will face Angola at 18:00 local time at Nyayo Stadium.

At 20:00, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania will feature Madagascar taking on Mauritania, making for an exciting Sunday of football. The opening matches in Kampala will occur on Monday, August 4th, 2025, with co-hosts Uganda facing Algeria at 20:00 local time, preceded by a match between Niger and Guinea at 17:00 local time at the same venue.

The Third-Fourth Place Play-Off is scheduled to take place in Kampala on Friday, August 29th, 2025, at Mandela Stadium, with a kick-off time of 18:00 local time. The final is set to happen the following day, Saturday, August 30th, 2025, at 18:00 local time in Nairobi’s Kasarani.

After their opener against DR Congo, Kenya will play their second match against Angola on Tuesday, August 7th, followed by a clash with Morocco on Sunday, August 10th, and wrapping up the group stage against Zambia’s Chipolopolo on Sunday, August 17th.

According to CAF, the group stages will be organised as follows: Group A, consisting of Kenya, Morocco, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, will take place in Nairobi.

Group B, featuring Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic, will be hosted in Dar es Salaam, while Group C, which includes Uganda, Niger, Guinea, South Africa, and Algeria, will compete in Kampala. Group D, comprising Senegal, Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria, will host their matches in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar has been added as a venue for the tournament, with matches planned at the New Amaan Stadium, which hosted a successful CAF Confederation Cup 2024/25 final in May between Tanzania’s Simba SC and Morocco’s RS Berkane, set to stage Group D matches.

Uganda Cranes Announce Squad for CHAN

In the meantime, the Uganda Cranes have unveiled their provisional squad for the tournament. The selection, released by the technical team led by Fred Muhumuza and Morley Byekwaso, features 41 players, all from the Ugandan Premier League in accordance with the tournament rules, with the exception of James Bogere from Masaka Sunshine FC, a regional league club.

This marks Uganda’s seventh appearance at the CHAN tournament, and the Cranes are hoping to make history by advancing beyond the group stage for the first time, drawing inspiration from enthusiastic home supporters and a strong connection to the local landscape.

Uganda Squad:

Goalkeepers: Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC), Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC), Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC), Mutwalibu Mugolofa (KCCA FC), and Denis Kiggundu (Vipers SC).

Defenders: Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC), Lazaro Bwambale (Kitara FC), James Begisa (URA FC), David Owori (SC Villa), Herbert Achayi (Express FC), Gideon Odongo (NEC FC), Enock Walusimbi (URA FC), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Jacob Okao (KCCA FC), Ronald Otti (Kitara FC), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), and Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC).

Midfielders: Marvin Youngman (Vipers SC), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC), Elvis Ngondwe (SC Villa), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Ronald Ssekiganda (Unattached), Abdul Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC), Jerome Kirya (BUL FC), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), and Aslam Ssemakula (SC Villa).

Forwards: Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC), Kiza Arafat (KCCA FC), Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA FC), Yunus Sentamu (Vipers SC), Charles Lwanga (SC Villa), Ivan Ahimbisibwe (URA FC), Baden Ogama (Maroons FC), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC), Patrick Kakande (SC Villa), and Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC).