Sports

Breaking curses and bagging money: How 3 host nations sailed through in CHAN

Tuesday 19th August, 2025 11:17 AM| By Joel Masibo

For the first time in the history of CAF tournaments, all three co-hosting nations of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, have advanced to the quarter-finals.

Themed Pamoja (Swahili for “together”), the tournament has electrified the region, strengthening the sense of unity. The 2024 CHAN edition is unique as it is the first to be staged across three nations, and now each host country has reached the last eight.

Historically, Uganda had never survived the group stages, Tanzania had faltered in previous attempts, and Kenya were newcomers to the tournament. But with fervent home backing, all three have rewritten their history as the showpiece.

Kenya shines in debut

Kenya, appearing at CHAN for the very first time, stunned many by topping Group A. Their decisive moment came at Kasarani Stadium, where Ryan Ogam struck in the 75th minute to hand Harambee Stars a 1-0 victory over Zambia on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Kasarani Stadium.

That result put Benni McCarthy’s side on 10 points, finishing ahead of the 2020 winners, Morocco. Harambee Stars remain in Nairobi for a Friday evening showdown against Madagascar, a clash already billed as one of the most competitive ties of the quarter-final.

Uganda Cranes players celebrate their victory against South Africa on Monday, August 18, 2025 at the Mandela National Stadium. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/100064372465291/posts/pfbid02M8xoBVSmGAUmKLaMpd3wrBv7MLKgGZ6z1V8kfLnAoznUCLLputymkQHW1nGaLsV9l/?app=fbl

Tanzania were equally dominant, finishing top of Group B with 10 points. The Taifa Stars claimed three wins in four matches, with their only slip coming in a dead-rubber draw against the Central African Republic.

Packed crowds at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium have spurred them on, and a blockbuster tie against Morocco awaits on Friday night in Dar es Salaam.

Uganda breaks the curse

Uganda, meanwhile, achieved a long-awaited milestone by finally breaking their group-stage curse. In six previous appearances, the Cranes had always fallen short. This time, determination carried them through.

In a dramatic final group match in Kampala, Uganda, drew 3-3 with South Africa on Monday night, August 18, 2025, at the Mandela National Stadium. After Jude Ssemugabi gave the hosts the lead, the visitors hit back with three goals. But Uganda rallied, and Rogers Torach converted a stoppage-time penalty to seal a historic qualification.

That point was enough to see Uganda finish top of Group C and secure their first-ever place in the knockouts. They will return to the Mandela National Stadium on Saturday to face the Group D runners-up.

This year’s tournament is not only the first to be co-hosted by three countries but also the first where all hosts have progressed so far. The decision to spread matches across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda has paid off, with massive crowds creating carnival-like scenes.

The quarter-finals promise another round of capacity stadiums as each host nation plays in front of home supporters — Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Kampala are all set for unforgettable nights.