By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, Cameroon – The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced the draw for the 2025 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship, CHAN, will be conducted at Kenyatta International Conventional Centre in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday, 15 January 2025.
The much-anticipated tournament is uniquely reserved for African footballers plying their trade in their domestic leagues and will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between 1-28 February 2025.
18 nations will participate in the tournament, with Morocco emerging as the sole North African representative following regional withdrawals. Qualification rounds produced notable surprises, with the Central African Republic making history by eliminating Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions through a dramatic 2-1 victory in Bafoussam. The win, secured via the away goals rule after a narrow first-leg defeat, marks their first-ever CHAN qualification.
Mauritania also secured an unexpected spot by overcoming Mali, holding them to a goalless draw in Bamako after a 1-0 home victory. Defending champions Senegal confirmed their participation with a convincing 3-0 victory over Liberia, aiming to retain the title they won in 2023 against Algeria on penalties.
The tournament faced setbacks with Tunisia and Libya withdrawing despite receiving automatic qualification alongside Morocco. The host nations gained automatic entry, while Sudan successfully qualified despite ongoing domestic challenges, defeating Ethiopia 4-1 on aggregate.
Over the years, CHAN has served as a springboard for young players to step onto the global stage. A notable example is Ivory Coast’s Lamine Camara, who shone during the 2022 edition of the tournament and has since risen to global stardom. The 21-year-old was recently crowned Young Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards, a testament to the opportunities CHAN provides for promising talent.
The final lineup features regional powerhouses Nigeria and DR Congo, alongside Burkina Faso, Guinea, Rwanda, Zambia, Angola, and Madagascar. The draw in Nairobi will not only determine the matchups but will also set the tone for a month-long celebration of African football talents.
With three hosts, a star-studded lineup of teams, and a history of unearthing future football talents, the African Nations Championship promises to be a tournament for the ages. Football fans across the continent and beyond will be watching closely as the next generation of African talents are unearthed.
