PREPARATIONS for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) are gaining momentum as host countries Tanzania and Kenya held a high-level joint meeting in Dar es Salaam to discuss key areas of collaboration ahead of the tournament, which kicks off in August 2025.

The meeting was led by Leodegar Tenga (pictured), chairperson of Tanzania’s CHAN 2024 organizing committee, and Nicholas Musonye, chairperson of Kenya’s CHAN 2024 organizing committee. The two leaders emphasized the importance of joint planning and coordination to ensure the successful delivery of the tournament, which will for the first time be hosted by three East African nations - Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

Key issues on the agenda included the development of a joint tournament website, creation of a tournament theme song and mascot, branding strategies, and the organization of both opening and closing ceremonies. Tenga confirmed that Tanzania will host the opening ceremony in August 2025, while Kenya will be responsible for the closing ceremony.

“We had a productive session with our counterparts from Kenya. Although our colleagues from Uganda were unable to attend due to logistical reasons, we’ve agreed to keep them informed of all deliberations and extend an invitation to join the next planning meeting,” Tenga told journalists after the meeting.

He added: “We took time to assess the progress of our preparations so far, including infrastructure readiness and logistics. We also discussed branding elements such as the tournament’s official logo, anthem, and mascot. There are still decisions to be made, but we’ve made significant headway and are optimistic about what lies ahead.”

The former Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) president stressed the importance of public engagement, especially through music and creative campaigns, to rally support from across the region. 

“We’ve agreed that the tournament must be people-centered. It’s not just about money or infrastructure it’s about people, pride, and participation,” he added.

Sponsorship and stakeholder engagement were also high on the agenda. The organizing committees are planning targeted outreach to secure corporate partners who can support various aspects of the event, from venue preparation to team logistics and fan engagement.

“In today’s world, sports are closely tied to corporate support. We’re looking at how to attract sponsors who understand the value and visibility that comes with supporting CHAN 2024. The tournament is a golden opportunity for brand exposure on a continental scale,” Tenga said.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed the host cities and participating nations for the group stage of the CHAN 2024 tournament, further intensifying preparations across the three host nations.

Group A – Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia

Group B – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic

Group C – Kampala, Uganda: Uganda, Niger, Guinea, South Africa, Algeria

Group D – Zanzibar, Tanzania: Senegal, Congo (who replaced Equatorial Guinea following a CAF Appeals Board ruling), Sudan, Nigeria

The inclusion of Zanzibar as a host city underlines the broader East African commitment to jointly deliver a successful tournament. It also provides an opportunity to showcase the region's diversity and hospitality to the rest of the continent.

The tournament, which features national teams composed exclusively of players active in their domestic leagues, is expected to draw significant crowds and media attention. It also offers a valuable platform for homegrown African footballers to shine on a continental stage.