- The CHAN 2024 tournament concluded on Saturday, August 30 with Morocco crowned champions after defeating Madagascar 3-2 at the MISC Kasarani Stadium.
- The tournament was co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
- Looking ahead, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania must harness the lessons from CHAN 2024 to prepare effectively for AFCON 2027.
The Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 culminated on Saturday, 30 August 2025, with a spectacular finale at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani where Morocco cemented its legacy by defeating Madagascar 3-2 to claim a record-breaking third championship title.
This edition, featuring 19 nations and a total of 44 fiercely contested matches, has been hailed as the most successful in the tournament’s history, all thanks to the commendable efforts of the East African co-hosts: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Indeed, CHAN 2024 lived up to its billing as records were tumbled, legacies forged and new milestones set.
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Morocco lifted their third title, Madagascar reached their first-ever final, and Kenya, participating for the first time, defied expectations by reaching the quarterfinals.
Similarly, Uganda and Tanzania, both with limited past success in the tournament, secured their first-ever quarterfinal berths, solidifying CHAN 2024 as a watershed moment for East African football.
As the dust settles, all eyes now shift to the AFCON 2027, which will again be co-hosted by the trio.
But first, here’s how the SportPesa Blog rates each nation’s performance in organizing this prestigious tournament – second in stature only to the AFCON.
CHAN 2024 ratings for co-hosts Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania
Kenya: 8/10 – A tournament to remember
Kenya’s long-overdue moment as a CHAN host finally came, and they delivered a commendable performance.
Entrusted with Group A, featuring DR Congo, Morocco, Angola and Zambia, Kenya’s organization was largely efficient, despite a few hiccups.
From well-maintained training facilities to competent accommodation and logistics, the nation provided a conducive environment not only for its team but for visiting delegations as well.
The football appetite in the country was almost uncontrollable in the early stages as fans thronged the stadiums to watch not only games involving their own country but also those of other teams.
As a result, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) incurred fines early on for regulatory breaches due to fans overwhelming security cordons. However, operations smoothed out significantly after the group matches.
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Kenyan fans passionately packed the stadiums throughout the tournament, directly contradicting a previous claim from the Local Organizing Committee’s chairman Nicolas Musonye that Kenyans “don’t love football.”
Most impressively, a massive crowd of 45,028 fans filled the Kasarani Stadium for the final between Morocco and Madagascar, despite the home team’s absence.
The government and FKF also excelled by establishing fan zones.
These areas provided an excellent alternative for those unable to secure tickets, keeping everyone engaged with the action and helping to prevent stadium overcrowding and potential fines.
Challenges Experienced in Kenya
The primary hurdles were related to ticketing and crowd management.
Many Kenyans struggled to purchase tickets for Harambee Stars matches as the mandated ticketing body failed to provide a smooth purchasing process.
Tickets sold out within hours, often due to suspected infiltration by unscrupulous bots, leaving genuine fans frustrated.
ALSO READ: FKF to establish official CHAN 2024 fan zones as CAF caps stadium capacity
Another significant issue was security during Kenya’s initial matches which led to substantial financial penalties for the host nation.
Despite these hitches, Kenya proved to be an admirable host for its debut CHAN tournament, a success mirrored by its national team’s historic run to the quarterfinals.
Uganda – 7/10: Solid execution with room for growth
Uganda, hosting Group C and the third-place playoff, delivered a smooth and professional tournament experience.
As a regular participant in CHAN, the country leaned on its experience to ensure seamless operations.
Notably, Uganda reached the quarterfinals for the first time, which, along with hosting the Sudan vs. Senegal third-place match, created memorable moments.
ALSO READ: Uganda vs Senegal: Cranes fall as all CHAN 2024 co-hosts exit at quarterfinal stage
While attendance was respectable, it lacked the vibrancy and capacity crowds seen in Kenya.
For instance, despite free entry for the third-place game, the stadium was far from full.
On the positive side, Uganda’s ticketing system was efficient and security concerns were virtually non-existent.
The event unfolded in a well-organized, peaceful atmosphere, which enhanced the fan and player experience alike.
Tanzania – 7/10: Smooth operations, disappointing fan turnout
Tanzania hosted Group B matches in Dar es Salaam and Group D in Zanzibar.
Operationally, the tournament was well-run. There were no major security issues, and ticketing logistics were handled professionally.
The opening ceremony in Dar es Salaam was lively and well-executed, setting the tone for a promising tournament.
Like their neighbors, Tanzania also reached the quarterfinals, marking a significant achievement on home soil.
However, the major drawback was the surprisingly poor fan attendance.
Despite being home to football giants like Yanga SC and Simba SC, whose matches usually attract sold-out crowds, CHAN 2024 matches in Tanzania saw underwhelming turnout, even for fixtures involving the home team.
This disappointing aspect detracted from what was otherwise an efficient and secure hosting experience.
Looking ahead: Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania must harness lessons from CHAN 2024 to prepare for AFCON 2027
CHAN 2024 served as a crucial litmus test for AFCON 2027. While the three nations proved they are capable of staging a continental tournament, glaring flaws must be addressed;
- Kenya must overhaul its ticketing systems and ensure crowd control is water-tight to avoid further penalties and public frustration.
- Uganda needs to work on boosting fan engagement and stadium attendance, especially for high-profile fixtures.
- Tanzania, despite great logistics, must address its fan mobilization strategy to ensure the stadiums reflect the footballing culture the country is known for.
If these nations can consolidate their strengths and rectify their shortcomings, AFCON 2027 could truly be one for the ages and a defining moment for East African football on the continental stage.