THE Tanzanian organizing committee for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals has confirmed the country’s readiness to host the tournament, scheduled to take place from February 1 to 28.

The championship will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, featuring 19 national teams.

Leodegar Tenga (pictured), Chairman of the CHAN 2024 Internal Preparatory Committee, assured stakeholders that significant progress has been made to ensure the competition runs smoothly.

“Great efforts have been made to prepare for this prestigious event. The government has renovated and constructed key infrastructure, including Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar,” Tenga stated.

In addition, new training grounds at Gymkhana, Law School, and Major General Isamuhyo have been built to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards. 

Tenga revealed that over 95% of the infrastructure work has been completed, with CAF conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance.

“CAF has expressed satisfaction with our progress, though a few final touches are still underway,” he added.

To engage sports stakeholders further, the committee has organized a conference scheduled for today in Dar es Salaam. 

The conference aims to update stakeholders on the tournament’s progress and foster collaboration.

“We want Tanzanians to embrace this opportunity and support the tournament. CHAN is a platform for our local players, and we must motivate them to perform at their best,” Tenga emphasized.

The draw for the 2025 CHAN finals will take place today at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. 

CAF will conduct the draw at 8:00 pm, determining the groupings for the 18 qualified teams. Hosts Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda are pre-assigned to their respective groups.

According to CAF, the group stage matches will be held in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Nairobi, and Kampala. Teams participating in this year’s finals include Morocco, Senegal, DR Congo, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and others.

The CHAN competition, reserved exclusively for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues, has grown in stature since its inception. 

Among the 18 teams participating this year, three Kenya, Congo, and the Central African Republic are making their debut.

The stage is set for an electrifying competition across East Africa, with fans eagerly anticipating the tournament. 

As host nations, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania aim to showcase their sporting prowess while delivering a world-class football experience.

Tenga called on all Tanzanians to rally behind the host nation and capitalize on the economic and cultural opportunities the CHAN tournament will bring.