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The delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) is heating up as the quarter-finals kick off today Friday, August 22, 2025 with co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda all securing historic top spots in their groups. The tournament, delayed earlier this year, has captured the attention of fans across the continent as East Africa takes center stage in a football spectacle that has already delivered surprises.
East African Hat Trick Stuns Fans
In a remarkable turn of events, all three co-hosts advanced as group winners, marking a rare achievement in the competition’s history. Kenya topped Group A, Tanzania led Group B, and Uganda dominated Group C, setting the stage for an electrifying weekend of knockout football.
“This is a proud moment for East African football,” said Samuel Otieno, a Nairobi-based sports analyst. “The fact that all three co-hosts finished first in their groups shows the progress the region is making in the game.”
Quarter-Final Lineup
The quarter-finals will be played across two days, with fixtures spread across the host nations:
- Friday, August 22
- Kenya vs Madagascar – Nairobi
- Tanzania vs Morocco – Dar-es-Salaam
- Saturday, August 23
- Sudan vs Algeria – Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar
- Uganda vs Senegal – Kampala
The winners will progress to the semi-finals scheduled for Tuesday next week. The tournament will culminate with the much-anticipated final on Saturday, August 30, at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.
Beyond the football, this year’s CHAN carries symbolic weight for the host nations. For the first time, three East African countries are co-hosting a major continental competition, showcasing regional unity and footballing ambition.
“Football has the power to bring nations together,” said Uganda’s national coach in a pre-match press briefing. “This tournament is more than a game. It is about pride, unity, and showing that East Africa belongs on the continental stage.”
Fans across the region are equally energized. Stadiums have been packed, with thousands waving flags, chanting, and celebrating every goal as if it were a victory for the entire region.
With traditional powerhouses like Morocco, Algeria, and Senegal still in the mix, the road to the final promises to be fierce. But with the home advantage and a wave of local support, the East African sides are determined to go all the way.
As the knockout rounds begin, the dream of lifting the trophy on home soil burns brightly. Whether or not that dream becomes reality, the 2024 CHAN has already cemented itself as a landmark moment for East African football.
Read Also: Uganda Cranes Stage Thrilling Comeback to Reach First-Ever CHAN Quarterfinals
