The African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament reserved for players competing in their domestic leagues, has entered its decisive stage. Six teams remain after Friday’s quarterfinal action in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam — with Madagascar and Morocco already through to the semifinals.
The tournament, held for the first time across three countries — Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania — has offered a rare showcase of regional cooperation. But with both Kenya and Tanzania eliminated, the burden of representing the hosts now rests solely on Uganda.
On Saturday, the Cranes face defending champions Senegal in Kampala, while Sudan meet Algeria in Zanzibar City. Winners of those ties will join Madagascar and Morocco in the final four.
Madagascar edge Kenya on penalties
Madagascar reached the semifinals the hard way, outlasting co-hosts Kenya in a tense quarterfinal that ended 4-3 on penalties at Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi.
It’s only their second CHAN appearance, but Barea have shown resilience. They opened the tournament with a goalless draw against Mauritania, followed by a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania. Nantenaina Razafimahatana’s goal in that game proved only consolation.
From there, the momentum shifted. Wins over Central African Republic (2-0) and Burkina Faso (2-1) propelled Madagascar into the knockouts. In the decisive match against Kenya, they kept their nerve from the spot to secure a place in the semifinals — where they will face either Sudan or Algeria.
Morocco hold off Tanzania in Dar es Salaam
Morocco, winners of CHAN in 2018 and 2020, showed their pedigree once again. They eliminated co-hosts Tanzania with a narrow 1-0 victory at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Oussama Lamlioui, the tournament’s top scorer, provided the difference. Wearing a bandage after a knock, he converted from close range in the second half after a low cross from Youssef Belammari.
The Atlas Lions’ road to the semifinals was not straightforward. They began with a 2-0 win over Angola, stumbled in a 1-0 loss to Kenya, then rebounded with back-to-back wins against Zambia (3-1) and DR Congo (3-1). Along the way, Lamlioui and Mohamed Hrimat have led the scoring charge, keeping Morocco on track for a possible third continental title.
Uganda’s test against the champions
Uganda now carry the hosts’ hopes. The Cranes face a stern test against Senegal, who lifted the trophy at the last edition in Algeria. History offers Uganda some encouragement: they defeated Senegal 2-1 in a friendly mini-tournament in July, and also edged them 1-0 in the 2022 group stage.
But while Uganda fell short of the knockouts last time, Senegal went on to win the championship. Saturday’s meeting in Kampala will test whether home support can tilt the balance.
With two semifinal places still up for grabs, CHAN 2024 is moving toward its climax. And as Uganda prepare for their biggest test yet, the stakes for the co-hosts — and for African football’s rising stars — could hardly be higher.
