D-Day for Harambee Stars as CAF conducts 2024 CHAN qualifiers draw

D-Day for Harambee Stars as CAF conducts 2024 CHAN qualifiers draw

Festus Chuma 09:00 - 09.10.2024

Harambee Stars will learn their 2024 CHAN qualification opponents as they prepare for the regional CECAFA qualifiers.

Harambee Stars will know their 2024 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualification opponents later today as the eagerly anticipated draw is set to take place in Cairo, Egypt.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that the draw for the CHAN qualifiers will be conducted on Wednesday, October 9, setting the stage for Kenya's next step toward continental glory.

Kenya, alongside regional neighbors Uganda and Tanzania, will participate in the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) regional qualifiers as part of their preparations for hosting the prestigious tournament in 2025.

While Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have already secured their places as hosts for the main event, the CECAFA region is guaranteed a total of four spots in the final competition as there is a room for one more team from the region to join the trio in the 2024 edition.

The CECAFA qualifiers will be a significant opportunity for the Harambee Stars to fine-tune their squad and strategy as they look ahead to hosting duties.

The 2024 CHAN tournament, a showcase of African football's domestic talent is limited to players who compete in their home countries’ leagues.

Since its inception in 2009, the CHAN tournament has become a prominent fixture in African football providing a stage for emerging stars to shine and for national teams to develop their local players.

CAF's decision to increase the prize money for CHAN by 60% has added further excitement to the competition.

The winners of the 2024 edition will walk away with a staggering $2 million a substantial boost that reflects the tournament's growing commercial value and prestige.

The last edition of the tournament, hosted by Algeria, was a resounding success, drawing thousands of supporters to stadiums and millions of viewers across the globe.

For Kenya, the CHAN qualifiers represent more than just an opportunity to compete.

The three East African nations are also set to host the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, making these next few years crucial for their footballing infrastructure and talent development.

The first round of qualifiers for the 2024 CHAN tournament will be held between October 25 and 27, with the return legs scheduled for November 1 to 3.

Teams that advance will then face off in the second round, which is confirmed to take place from December 20 to 27, with the return fixtures being played from December 27 to 29.

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