East Africa made history when Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda co-hosted the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), exclusively featuring home-based players. Originally set for early 2025, the tournament was postponed to August to ensure infrastructure readiness—resulting in a landmark edition with a record 19 national teams competing WikipediaHindustan Times. 

Kenya’s Rollercoaster Ride 

Kenya’s Harambee Stars opened with a stunning 1-0 victory over two-time champions DR Congo, thanks to a late header from Enock Wanyama in Nairobi Africa SoccerMichezo Afrika. They followed this with a gritty 1-0 win against Zambia and a goalless draw with Angola, securing top spot in Group A. In the final group game, Morocco edged DR Congo 3-1, pushing Kenya to finish unbeaten Michezo AfrikaConfédération Africaine de Football. Reports confirm that Kenya finished first, with Morocco second Confédération Africaine de FootballTRT Global. 

Tanzania’s Commanding Performance 

In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars began with a convincing 2-0 win over Burkina Faso, with goals from Stephano Mbonde and Habibu Kondo Africa Soccer. They maintained momentum throughout, ultimately topping Group B with a flawless record Michezo AfrikaConfédération Africaine de Football. 

Uganda’s Disappointing Exit 

In Kampala, Uganda’s campaign faltered early with a heavy loss to Algeria, followed by a win against Guinea and a final defeat to South Africa—sufficient to see them eliminated before the knockout rounds Michezo AfrikaWikipedia.  

(See the embedded image above for a detailed breakdown of points by group.)  

Quarterfinal Showdowns: Road to Nairobi Final 

With group stages concluded, the quarterfinal pairings were set: 

These matchups promise to be thrilling encounters under East Africa’s skies.
 
 
Infrastructure & Security: A Behind-the-Scenes Victory
 
Pulling off a tri-nation tournament demanded exceptional coordination. Kenya—leveraging its tech-forward approach—implemented fully digital ticketing, AI-powered facial recognition, and a CHAN security hotline. All host stadiums, including Kasarani (Nairobi), Benjamin Mkapa (Dar es Salaam), and Mandela National (Kampala), underwent CAF-mandated upgrades to meet capacity and quality standards. Mandela Stadium, in particular, earned accolades for its outstanding pitch and fan facilities Hindustan TimesWikipediaConfédération Africaine de Football.
 
 

 
CHAN 2025 was more than a tournament—it was a testament to unity, innovation, and the power of homegrown talent. The success of this tri-nation model sets a strong precedent for future multi-country CAF events. For players like Kenya’s Brian Bwire and Tanzania’s Stephano Mbonde, the tournament offered a springboard to continental—and potentially global—recognition, all while proudly representing their domestic leagues.
 
The final at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium on August 30 will crown not just a champion, but a continent’s belief in its own talent—not imported, but homegrown.