After months of uncertainty and infrastructure delays, East Africa is finally ready to host the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), kicking off Saturday. This edition marks a historic milestone — the first CAF tournament to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and the first CAF event in the region since 1976.

Their joint bid, aptly named "Pamoja" (Swahili for "Together"), was approved two years ago and has since symbolized a new era of regional cooperation in African football.

Tournament Delayed by Stadium Setbacks

Originally scheduled for February 2025, the tournament was pushed back by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to significant delays in stadium renovations and preparations. In total, five stadiums across the three countries had to meet CAF standards — a tall order for nations that faced logistical, financial, and structural hurdles.

On a recent inspection tour, CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba praised the joint effort:

“Three countries have pooled their efforts and resources to successfully deliver. I think we in Africa need to learn from this model,” he said.

Opening Match: Tanzania vs. Burkina Faso

The action begins with hosts Tanzania facing Burkina Faso at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The stadium, one of the largest in the region, has been fully refurbished for the event and is expected to host a full-capacity crowd.

A total of 19 teams are participating, making this one of the most competitive CHAN tournaments to date.

Morocco Returns as Strong Contenders

Two-time champions Morocco return to the tournament after boycotting the 2023 edition in Algeria. They’ve brought a strong squad, including six players from the reigning CAF Confederation Cup champions and star goalkeeper Rachid Ghanimi, who featured in the Olympics.

Drawn in Group A alongside Kenya, Angola, Zambia, and DR Congo, Morocco will be one of the teams to watch.

Kenya Makes CHAN Debut Under Benni McCarthy

Kenya will make its long-awaited CHAN debut with South African coach Benni McCarthy at the helm. McCarthy, who is also part of Manchester United’s technical team under Erik ten Hag, acknowledged the challenges:

“Honestly, it is a great challenge. But the difficult teams will always be in your path. You have to beat them anyway,” said McCarthy.

His appointment is seen as a bold move by Kenya, signaling the country’s intent to compete seriously on the continental stage.

Uganda Aims to Break Group Stage Curse

Co-hosts Uganda have never made it past the group stage in six previous CHAN appearances. This year, they aim to break that record, starting in a challenging group that includes South Africa, Guinea, Algeria, and Niger.

In a strategic move, Uganda has brought in legendary former captain and goalkeeper Denis Onyango to join the technical bench — a move aimed at strengthening their defensive unit and mentoring young talent.

Senegal Begins Title Defense in Zanzibar

Defending champions Senegal will begin their title defense against rivals Nigeria on August 5 at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. The West African clash is one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures.

Looking Ahead to AFCON 2027

CHAN 2025 also serves as a test run for AFCON 2027, which will also be hosted by the Pamoja trio. The tournament is expected to give officials and organizers a trial platform for logistics, security, infrastructure, and fan engagement ahead of Africa’s biggest football event.

Conclusion: A Region’s Moment on the Continental Stage

Despite infrastructure delays and doubts, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have demonstrated resilience, cooperation, and ambition in bringing CHAN 2025 to life. As the tournament kicks off, the focus now shifts from construction timelines to football excellence — and whether East Africa can rise to the occasion, both on and off the pitch.