CHAN 2024: Kenya’s hosts are assigned to the “group of death,” while Senegal is assigned to Group D

Senegal, the current holders of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, was placed in Group D with Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria. Kenya, one of the three tournament organizers, was assigned a challenging group that includes former champions Morocco.

The draw, which was rescheduled to August 2025, was conducted in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday, January 15. The tournament was the subject of some thrilling matches.

Kenya was the top seed as the hosts of Group A, where they were paired with two-time victors Morocco and DR Congo, as well as Angola and Zambia. The pool was brimming with quality teams and past champions.

Tanzania, another host country, was also the top seed in Group B and will face Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic in their pool.

Next, Uganda, who are also tournament co-hosts, were the top seed in Group C and were paired with Niger, Guinea, Qualifier 1, and Qualifier 2. This pool is somewhat of an unknown quantity.

Algeria, Comoros, Gambia, Malawi, Egypt, South Africa, and Gabon are all scheduled to participate in a qualification campaign to secure their spots in the Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 draws. Two teams are still required to secure their spots in the finals.

For the first time since Rwanda in 2016, CHAN will be contested in East Africa, where it has been played seven times previously.

Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Libya, and the defending champions, Senegal, have each won the trophy twice.

The 19 teams were divided into four groups for the dazzling ceremony, which took place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The draw was facilitated by three East African football legends: Hassan Wasswa of Uganda, Mrisho Ngasa of Tanzania, and McDonald Mariga of Kenya. Their presence further enhanced the evening’s star quality.

The tournament is a platform that highlights the caliber of homegrown talent by featuring only players who compete in their domestic leagues. It is a concept that is uniquely African.

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