The spotlight is turning to East Africa as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially released the match schedule for the highly anticipated TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, with Uganda poised to be a central figure in the historic tri-nation tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
Uganda’s capital city, Kampala, will host its first CHAN 2024 fixtures on Monday, 4 August, with a thrilling double-header at the iconic Mandela Stadium. The action begins at 17h00 local time (14h00 GMT) as Niger faces off against Guinea, setting the stage for the main event at 20h00 (17h00 GMT) when co-hosts Uganda clash with continental powerhouse Algeria. All eyes will be on the Cranes as they aim to leverage home advantage and secure an early foothold in the competition.
This year’s edition of CHAN is unprecedented, marking the first time three nations will co-host the continental showpiece, underlining CAF’s commitment to fostering unity and infrastructure development in East Africa. Kampala, with its rich football culture and growing fan base, is expected to offer an electric atmosphere that rivals the continent’s best stadiums.
Uganda’s journey won’t end with the group stages. Mandela Stadium is also set to host the Third-Place Play-Off on Friday, 29 August at 18h00 local time (15h00 GMT), a match often regarded as the most emotionally charged fixture of the tournament. With the Cranes tipped as dark horses, a podium finish on home soil remains a tangible dream for millions of Ugandan fans.
The final will be staged the next day in Nairobi, but Ugandan hopes are firmly planted in Mandela Stadium, where pride, passion, and the pursuit of continental success converge. As the countdown to CHAN 2024 intensifies, Uganda stands ready, not just to host, but to conquer.
