As the countdown to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) intensifies, Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, faces a formidable challenge after being drawn into Group A, which is already being labeled the “Group of Death.” The tournament—set for August 2025 following a reschedule from February 2024—marks a historic milestone as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania prepare to jointly host CHAN for the first time in East Africa since Rwanda in 2016.
Group A features football powerhouses Morocco, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia—all experienced sides with impressive CHAN and AFCON pedigrees. Speaking during the official draw ceremony held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Football Kenya Federation Vice President McDonald Mariga acknowledged the gravity of the task ahead for Kenya, emphasizing that the home team is motivated to rise to the occasion, especially in front of a long-deprived home crowd.
Morocco, two-time CHAN champions, alongside DR Congo, a past titleholder, and consistent performers Zambia and Angola, make Group A the most competitive pool. Harambee Stars will need to harness the energy of home support and utilize the additional preparation time due to the tournament’s postponement to strategize and fight for a spot in the knockout rounds. This CHAN is a golden opportunity for Kenya to showcase its football potential on home soil.
Elsewhere, Tanzania has been seeded in Group B alongside Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic (CAR), while Uganda finds itself in Group C with Niger, Guinea, and two pending qualifiers (Q1 and Q2). Group D will see fierce battles among Senegal, Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria. Seven teams—Algeria, Comoros, Gambia, Malawi, Egypt, South Africa, and Gabon—are still contesting qualification, with two spots left to be filled.
The CHAN 2024 tournament is not only a celebration of African football talent but also a test of regional unity and capability. With upgraded stadiums, heightened security, and the planned rollout of the PAMOJA VISA for easy cross-border travel, the East African hosts are working around the clock to deliver a world-class experience. For Harambee Stars, however, the focus remains clear: survive the group of death, make their fans proud, and write a new chapter in Kenyan football history.
