Two-time African Nations Championship (CHAN) winners Morocco have become the first team to arrive in Kenya, one of the three countries hosting the 2024 edition of the tournament.

The Moroccans touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi at 4:00 a.m. local time on Monday.

The early arrival of the Atlas Lions sets the tone for what promises to be an electrifying month-long competition, co-hosted for the first time by three East African nations — Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Already, Senegal and Nigeria in Group D have arrived in Tanzania.

The Moroccan delegation received a colourful welcome featuring traditional East African music and dancers, adding to the celebratory mood ahead of the tournament’s kick-off this Friday.

“We are excited to be here and ready for CHAN,” said defender Marouane Louadni of AS FAR.

“I already love Nairobi; the weather is great, and we are looking forward to a successful tournament.”

History Beckons for Atlas Lions

Winners on home soil in 2018 and again in Cameroon in 2021, Morocco are aiming to become the first nation to win the CHAN title three times. Their opening match is set for Sunday, August 4, against Angola at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Drawn in a competitive Group A alongside hosts Kenya, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia, the North Africans will be banking on their pedigree and recent form to make a deep run.

 Morocco and DR Congo are the only nations to have lifted the CHAN trophy twice.

The 28-man Moroccan squad underwent an intensive pre-tournament camp, including two friendlies against Burkina Faso and a dominant 6–0 win over Chad in the most recent FIFA international window, underlining their physical and tactical readiness.

Nairobi Gears Up for Historic Tournament

Excitement is building in Nairobi as the city prepares to host the opening match of CHAN 2024 — a tournament exclusively reserved for players active in their domestic leagues.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have finalized ticketing and logistics, as fans eagerly await what is being hailed as one of the biggest football events in Kenya’s history.

The month-long tournament, running from August 2 to 30, will feature matches across various venues in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda — a significant test run for the region’s co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Group A Teams Set to Arrive

Morocco’s early arrival is expected to be followed by the rest of Group A in the coming days. Zambia are due in Nairobi on Tuesday, with DR Congo and Angola scheduled to land on Thursday.

As the first team to hit the ground, Morocco will be hoping to make their head start count — and rewrite CHAN history with a record third title.

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As Nigeria gears up for their opening match at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), their Group D opponents, defending champions Senegal, are enduring a worrying run of form in their East African trial matches.

The Teranga Lions have suffered back-to-back defeats in friendly games played in Tanzania, raising concerns over their title defence campaign under Coach Souleymane Diallo.

On Sunday, Senegal lost 2-1 to co-hosts Tanzania in a warm-up encounter that exposed defensive frailties. Despite taking an early lead through Mapathe Mbodji in the 8th minute, the West Africans failed to maintain control.

The Tanzanians struck back in the second half, with Abdul Suleiman converting a penalty in the 53rd minute following a foul by Seny Mbaye Ndiaye.

Just three minutes later, Ibrahim Hamad scored the winning goal, beating Senegal goalkeeper Marc Philippe Arouna Diouf.

Earlier on Thursday, Senegal fell to Uganda by the same 2-1 margin in another pre-tournament friendly. Uganda, led by Coach Morley Byekwaso, bounced back from a previous 1-0 defeat to Tanzania with a spirited performance at Karatu’s Black Rhino Sports Centre in Arusha.

“I’m happy with the hunger my players showed on the pitch,” Byekwaso was quoted as saying by Tanzania’s Daily News.

 “We managed to win by pushing more in attack, but there’s still work to do, especially in closing down spaces. That’s something we’ll focus on before CHAN kicks off.”

Goals from defender Arnold Odong and substitute Patrick Jonah Kakande gave Uganda a comfortable two-goal cushion before Senegal’s Moctar Serigne Koité pulled one back late in the match. Despite a tense finale, the Cranes held on for a morale-boosting win.

The two defeats leave Senegal with plenty to ponder ahead of their CHAN opener against Nigeria.

For the Super Eagles, currently fine-tuning their own preparations, the Teranga Lions’ poor run may offer a psychological edge, though they would be wise not to underestimate a wounded champion seeking redemption.

Senegal will face Nigeria at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, 5 August.

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Just as Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team features a strong Remo Stars contingent, Sudan have followed a similar path by heavily leaning on domestic powerhouse Al-Hilal Khartoum for their squad at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Ghanaian tactician Kwesi Appiah, who led Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, has named a 25-man squad for the tournament, with 13 players coming from Sudanese Premier League champions, Al-Hilal.

The selection underscores Appiah’s strategy to harness club chemistry and domestic form as Sudan prepares to battle in a formidable Group D.

Sudan, who finished third on home soil at CHAN 2011 and also competed in 2018, will face Congo Brazzaville in their opening group game before clashing with Nigeria on August 12 and wrapping up their group campaign against defending champions Senegal.

The Sudanese squad features a blend of experience and form, with contributions also coming from traditional rivals Al-Merriekh Khartoum — including star goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Fateh and midfield anchor Mohamed Al-Rasheed — as well as players from Hay Al-Wadi Nyala and Al-Amal Atbara.

Appiah’s rebuilding project comes amid Sudan’s domestic challenges and civil unrest, but the coach is confident that his locally-based squad can punch above their weight and possibly emulate or surpass their 2011 feat.

Sudan are scheduled to commence their final preparation camp in Zanzibar from July 30, ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on August 2.

Sudan’s Full Squad for CHAN 2024

Goalkeepers:

• Ahmed Al-Fateh (Al-Merriekh Khartoum)
• Mohamed Al-Nour Adam (Al-Zamala Umm Ruwaba)
• Mohamed Madani (Al-Hilal Khartoum)

Defenders:

• Ramadan Ajeeb Sharif (Al-Merriekh Khartoum)
• Awad Zaid Gadain (Al-Merriekh Khartoum)
• Musab Mohamed Makin (Al-Merriekh Khartoum)
• Ahmed Abdelmomen Ahmed (Al-Merriekh Khartoum)
• Mohamed Ahmed Saeed (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Altayeb Abdelrazek (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Mazen Bashir Siembo (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Farees Abdullah Mamoun (Al-Hilal Khartoum)

Midfielders:

• Mohamed Al-Rasheed Mahmoud (Al-Merriekh Khartoum)
• Salah Al-Din Adel (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Wali Al-Din Khidr (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Abdelrazek Omar (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Yasser Muzamil Al-Tayeb (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Ahmed Ismat (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Al-Musbah Faisal (Al-Amal Atbara)

Forwards:

• Yasser Awad Bushara (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Ali Abdallah Hamad Al-Neel (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Mohamed Abdulrahman Yousif (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Mubarak Abdallah (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Mousa Hussein Mousa (Al-Hilal Khartoum)
• Mohamed Tia Aboudikin (Al-Merriekh Khartoum)
• Mazen Fad Al-Bahli (Hay Al-Wadi Nyala)

With Nigeria also relying heavily on players from domestic runners-up Remo Stars, the Group D clash between the Super Eagles B and Sudan’s Falcons of Jediane on August 12 promises to be a fascinating battle of club-driven national teams.

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