Harambee Stars to discover opponents in 2025 CHAN qualifiers next week

Kenya will learn their group opponents for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers when the draw is held on October 9.

According to a statement by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the highly anticipated draw will be conducted at 2 pm East African time (11:00 GMT).

Kenya, along with Uganda and Tanzania, will participate in the CECAFA regional qualifiers as part of their preparations to host the main tournament in 2025.

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The three East African nations will use the qualifiers as a platform to prepare for the upcoming tournament.

However, with the CECAFA region guaranteed four teams in the final competition, one more team from the region will join Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, who automatically qualify as hosts.

This unique opportunity offers these nations a chance to assess their squads and identify areas for improvement ahead of the continental competition.

Other regions across Africa will also be represented in the CHAN qualifiers, with the WAFU A and WAFU B zones covering West Africa, UNAF representing North Africa, UNIFFAC for Central Africa, and COSAFA covering Southern Africa.

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Each of these regions will have three qualifying teams. The competitive structure ensures that top talent from across the continent will be on display at CHAN 2025.

The qualification process for CHAN 2025 will unfold over two rounds. The first round is scheduled for the weekend of October 25-27, 2024, and will conclude the following weekend from November 1-3, 2024.

Teams that progress from this stage will compete in the second round, set for December 20-22, with the return leg taking place on December 27-29, 2024.

Matches will be played on a home-and-away basis adding an extra layer of drama and excitement for football fans across Africa.

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The CHAN tournament, which has been held every two years since its inception in 2009, offers a unique platform for players who are based in their domestic leagues.

Unlike the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), CHAN features only homegrown talent, providing a spotlight for local players to showcase their skills on a continental stage.

Over the years, CHAN has grown in stature and become a prestigious competition, with the 2023 edition hosted in Algeria drawing significant attention from global audiences.

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CAF has continued to invest in the CHAN competition, with an emphasis on improving its commercial value and fan engagement.

A notable development has been the 60% increase in prize money, with the winners of the tournament set to walk away with $2 million (approximately Ksh 257 million).

Kenya’s co-hosting of CHAN 2025 with Uganda and Tanzania presents a significant opportunity for the three nations to gain experience in organizing a major football event.

The tournament will serve as a precursor to the trio’s larger ambition: hosting the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.

This offers a chance not only to improve infrastructure and logistical capabilities but also to build excitement and enthusiasm among local fans ahead of the AFCON.