By Jabali Media
The draw for the 8th edition of the African Nations Champions (CHAN) is out, with co-hosts Kenya landing a tricky pairing in group A.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host the tournament in August 2025, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) postponed it from February, to give more room for infrastructural development.
CAF conducted the draw at the Jomo Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Wednesday night, with Kenya having to face two sides which have won the title twice each, in the frame of Morocco and DRC.
Zambia and Angola are the other teams in the group, leaving fans with mouthwatering clashes to look forward to.
Morocco and DRC are the only teams to have won the CHAN title twice in the championships 16-year history.
The North Africans successively won the CHAN title in 2018 and 2020. Morocco hosted the 2018 edition, while Cameroon played host two years later.
DRC emerged victorious during the inaugural edition in 2009 in Ivory Coast, before winning the second title in 2016, in Rwanda.
On paper, the group is challenging to debutants Kenya, but Harambee Stars interim assistant coach John Kimani expresses optimism.
“This draw sets the stage for us to aim for a larger purpose, such as securing future World Cup qualifications. With good preparation, we believe we can rise to the occasion and make a mark on the continental stage,” he said.
Full draw:
Group A: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia
Group B: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic
Group C: Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Q1, Q2
Group D: Senegal, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria
The tournament will be co-hosted by the three East African nations for the first time in history.
Recently, CAF announced a 75% increase in the prize money. The champions will now receive $3.5 million, with the total prize pool set at $10.4 million.