East Africa is getting ready to host the continent as the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicks off on August 2 and co-hosts Tanzania will set the ball rolling in Dar es Salaam with a high-stakes opener against Burkina Faso.
It won’t take long before the rest of the host trio gets involved. Kenya makes its entrance the very next day in Nairobi, facing off against two-time CHAN winners DR Congo. Then on August 4, Uganda steps onto the pitch in Kampala to take on Algeria, hoping to finally break past the group stages after six previous attempts that ended early.
This year’s CHAN, which only features players competing in their country’s domestic leagues, is more than just a football tournament it’s a chance for Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to show the world they’re ready to co-host something even bigger: AFCON 2027.
Guiding Kenya’s campaign is none other than South African tactician Benni McCarthy, who served on Erik ten Hag’s coaching team at Manchester United. Now leading from the touchline, McCarthy hopes to inject tactical sharpness and international experience into Kenya’s homegrown talent.
While the likes of Mohamed Salah won’t feature CHAN rules out foreign-based players the tournament still packs serious competition. DR Congo, Morocco, and reigning champions Senegal are all in the mix, bringing the heat. Libya and Tunisia, both former winners, are sitting this one out due to crowded domestic calendars.
And while it may not draw the same headlines as AFCON, CHAN isn’t just for show. Every match counts toward the FIFA world rankings, making it a key stage for rising stars to shine and a rare opportunity for local league players to step into the international spotlight.
With the host nations sharing not just the responsibility but also the spotlight, CHAN 2025 promises more than just football it offers East Africa a moment to shine on the continental stage, a warm-up before the main event in 2027.
