By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (August 2^nd 2025)

Questions on Hold

Despite the future of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) being questioned by some the Confédération Africane de Football (CAF) greenlighted the eighth edition for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Its main function is to highlight football within Africa and possibly facilitate transfers for Africa-based players both within the continent and outside. The success of Atlas Lion, Ayoub El-Kaabi in a previous edition emphasises this.

The seventh edition was held in Algeria. Sadly, political issues prevented the then champions, Morocco from defending their title. They are back for this edition in Group A, along with hosts Kenya, previous champions the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Zambia. Group A is based in Nairobi – the only Kenyan city that will host matches.

Tanzania hosts Tanzania, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Madagascar and Mauritania in Group B in Dar Es Salaam and the final round match between Burkina Faso and Madagascar will take place in Zanzibar. It also featured the opening match between Tanzania and Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium today (see below).

Group C, consisting of Uganda, Algeria, Guinea, Niger and South Africa will take place in Kampala’s Nelson Mandela Stadium. The final round match between Algeria and Niger will take place at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.

Group D, consisting of Congo, Nigeria, Sénégal and Sudan will be hosted in Zanzibar with the exception of the final round match between Nigeria and Congo, which will be played in Dar Es Salaam.

The Opening Match

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars delivered a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso – their first win in an opening match of matches of a CHAN. Abdul Sopu opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Frank Tologo had fouled Clement Mzize in the box in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Mohamed Hussein headed Mudathir Yahya’s cross from the right in to double Tanzania’s lead after 71 minutes.

Try as they did the Burkinabe could not find a telling response. The profligacy of the finishing of Tertius Bagré and Papus Outtara proved costly while Tanzania could afford the chances that Mzize and Feisal Salum failed to convert.

The 8^th Edition of the CHAN was underway.