The African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 has entered its knockout stage, with eight teams advancing after a dramatic conclusion to the group phase on Tuesday night.

From the original pool of 19 nations, only eight remain in contention, as nine others bowed out. For the first time in Confederation of African Football (CAF) history, a major competition is being co-hosted by three nations — Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda — and all three have stormed into the quarter-finals, keeping alive the tournament’s “Pamoja” (Swahili for “together”) theme.

Their collective progress has ensured packed stadiums, electrifying atmospheres, and a festival of football across East Africa.

Kenya Stun on Debut
Debutants Kenya have been one of the standout stories of the tournament. The Harambee Stars topped Group A with 10 points, sealing their position after Ryan Ogam’s late strike secured a 1-0 victory over Zambia.

Guided by South Africa’s coach Benni McCarthy, Kenya conceded only once in four games, displaying defensive solidity that has made them surprise contenders. They now stay in Nairobi, where they will face Madagascar on Friday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Tanzania Show Class
In Group B, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars finished top with 10 points after three wins and a draw. Their vibrant attacking plays thrilled home fans, with their only blemish coming in a meaningless final fixture against the Central African Republic. Tanzania now face a stern test against Morocco in Dar es Salaam on Friday evening.

The Atlas Lions, two-time CHAN champions, progressed as Group A runners-up behind Kenya.

Uganda Break the Curse
After six failed attempts to escape the group stage, Uganda finally broke their CHAN jinx.

A thrilling 3-3 draw against South Africa in Kampala sent them through as Group C winners with seven points. Rogers Torach’s stoppage-time penalty sparked wild celebrations at the Mandela National Stadium, where Uganda will host Senegal in a highly anticipated quarter-final on Saturday night.

Group D Drama in Zanzibar
The last group was decided in Zanzibar, where Sudan and Senegal played out a tense 0-0 draw that saw both qualify. Sudan, unbeaten under coach Kwesi Appiah, edged top spot on goal difference, leaving champions Senegal in second place.

Sudan will remain in Zanzibar to face Algeria on Saturday afternoon, while Senegal will travel to Kampala for their showdown with Uganda later that evening.

With three co-hosts still in contention, capacity crowds expected, and heavyweight clashes lined up, the CHAN 2024 quarter-finals promise more drama as East Africa continues to bask in its historic hosting moment.

Quarter-Final Fixtures

Friday, 22 August 2025

• Kenya v Madagascar – 17:00, Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi
• Tanzania v Morocco – 20:00, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam

Saturday, 23 August 2025

• Sudan v Algeria – 17:00, Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar City
• Uganda v Senegal – 20:00, Mandela National Stadium, Kampala.

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Sudan and Senegal both advanced to the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 after playing out a tense goalless draw at Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium on Tuesday night. 

The result ensured Sudan topped Group D on goal difference, with holders Senegal progressing in second place.

At the same time, Nigeria defeated Congo 2-0 in Dar es Salaam, but the Super Eagles’ late push was not enough to dislodge the two unbeaten sides.

It was billed as the decisive match of Group D, and it lived up to the occasion, even without goals.

Sudan, rejuvenated under Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah, came into the fixture brimming with belief after their 4-0 dismantling of Nigeria.

Senegal, the reigning champions, knew only defeat could eliminate them but were equally determined to secure top spot.

Both sides traded chances in a cagey first half. Senegal’s Pape Badji twice came close — first dragging a shot wide from the edge of the six-yard box before seeing another effort fly off target.

At the other end, Sudan tested goalkeeper Marc Diouf through Abdel Raouf Yagoub, whose strike from distance was well gathered.

The drama reached boiling point in stoppage time of the first half when Sudan appealed for a penalty, only for VAR to rule no infringement, to the relief of Souleymane Diallo’s Senegalese side.

The second half mirrored the first — fast, physical, and fiercely contested.

Sudan’s Musa Hussien had the best opening for the Cranes, shooting over from close range, while Mohamed Tia Asad also missed narrowly after coming off the bench.

Senegal, meanwhile, looked to Libasse Guèye for inspiration, but Sudan’s disciplined backline repelled the danger.

The champions’ frustrations boiled over when Mbaye Yaya Ly was shown a second yellow card deep into stoppage time, leaving Senegal to finish with ten men.

Despite their numerical advantage, Sudan had little time to capitalise, and the game ended with honours even.

The stalemate meant both teams finished level on five points, but Sudan’s superior goal difference (+4 compared to Senegal’s +1) secured them first place.

In Dar es Salaam, Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Congo lifted them to third with three points, while Congo bowed out bottom with two.

For Nigeria, the result was bittersweet. They delivered their best display of the tournament, but their earlier defeats left them short of qualification.

Kwesi Appiah’s tenure has transformed Sudan into one of the competition’s most disciplined and adventurous sides.

The Ghanaian coach promised his team would attack, and though they did not score, Sudan again showed the organisation and resilience that have kept them unbeaten for almost a year.

Captain Fares Abdullah and his side celebrated with their fans at full time, knowing they had made history by reaching the CHAN knockout stages in style.

The draw sets up a tantalising last-eight line-up. Sudan will remain in Zanzibar to face Algeria, while Senegal travel to Kampala to meet hosts Uganda, in what promises to be a fiery clash in front of a packed Mandela National Stadium.

With all three co-hosts — Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — already through, and defending champions Senegal still in the mix, the quarter-finals are shaping up to be a festival of football with huge crowds expected.

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By KUNLE SOLAJA

Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles face Congo on Tuesday night in their final Group D clash of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), with pride rather than qualification at stake.

Already eliminated after back-to-back defeats to Senegal and Sudan, Eric Sekou Chelle’s side will be desperate to at least avoid the embarrassment of exiting the tournament without scoring a single goal.

The Super Eagles have conceded five goals without reply in two matches, and Chelle admits the campaign has been a bruising one.

“We want to end the competition with a victory,” Chelle told reporters. “We haven’t scored yet, and this game is our chance to put things right. Of course, I take responsibility as a coach, but now it’s about lifting morale. We must return home with something positive.”

Nigeria’s preparations were disrupted after eight key players from the qualifying campaign departed for overseas clubs, forcing Chelle to rebuild much of his squad on short notice.

With the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) resuming this weekend and continental competitions around the corner, many players are already looking forward to rejoining their clubs.

Nine Remo Stars players and three from Rivers United are expected back for CAF Champions League duty, while Abia Warriors’ Ijeoma Anthony and Kwara United’s Nurudeen Badmus and Bankole Afeez will feature in the Confederation Cup.

While Nigeria’s interest in the tournament has ended, Congo still has everything to play for. A victory over the Super Eagles, combined with a favourable result from the Sudan–Senegal match, could see them through to the quarterfinals.

“There is no alternative to victory,” Congo coach Barthelemy Ngatsono told CAFonline, underlining the must-win nature of the fixture.

“We respect Nigeria, but they are like a wounded lion. They will play with pride, so we must be sharper and stay focused.”

Congo’s own struggles in front of goal—just one strike in two games—remain a concern, but forward Gosim Duvan Elenga is confident his team can rise to the occasion. “We enter this match with the same determination as before. We are ready,” he said.

For Nigeria, Tuesday night offers one last chance to restore a measure of dignity. For Congo, it could be the gateway to the knockout rounds.

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