The draw for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 saw holders Senegal pooled in Group D, alongside Congo, Sudan and Nigeria as Kenya, one of the three tournament hosts, was handed a tough group which features former champions Morocco. Staged in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday, January 15, the draw delivered some exciting encounters for the tournament that was rescheduled to take place in August 2025. Kenya were the top seed as hosts in Group A where they were drawn against two-time winners Morocco and DR Congo, as well as Angola and Zambia, in a pool packed with past champions and quality teams. Another host country, Tanzania, was also top seed in Group B and will take on Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic in their pool. Then Uganda, who are also tournament co-hosts, were top seed in Group C and meet Niger, Guinea, Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2, making this pool something of an unknown quantity. Two teams must still book their places at the finals, with Algeria, Comoros, Gambia, Malawi, Egypt, South Africa and Gabon all set to take part in a qualification campaign to fill the slots in the draw for Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2. CHAN has had seven previous editions and will be played in East Africa for the first time since Rwanda in 2016. Morocco and Democratic Republic of Congo have each lifted the trophy twice before, along with Tunisia, Libya and defending champions Senegal. The glittering ceremony was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) with the 19 teams drawn into four groups. The draw was conducted with the assistance of three East African football legends, Uganda’s Hassan Wasswa, Mrisho Ngasa of Tanzania and Kenya’s McDonald Mariga, who added even more star quality to the night. The tournament features only players who ply their trade in their domestic leagues, serving as a platform to showcase the quality of homegrown talent. It is a concept unique to Africa. CHAN 2024 Groups GROUP A: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia GROUP B: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic GROUP C: Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2 GROUP D: Senegal, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria
