CHAN 2024 Review: East Africa, Morocco shine in an epic edition

The 2024 edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) brought an unprecented high level of football along with an East African flair at the competition for players based in African club football. Morocco emerged on top in a fiercely fought tournament that showcased the stars of domestic football scenes from each participating nation while East African co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda embraced their opportunity on the big stage.

Pan-Africa Football recaps the tournament and selects its Team of the Tournament in our summary of the competition below:

East Africa rises to the occasion as CHAN host

The Kenyan pride. Host power. Crowd went wild! 💥🇰🇪

Purchase your #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 tickets here 👉 https://t.co/AbrqIVepKG pic.twitter.com/rQQgX5sjFt

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) August 3, 2025

There were plenty of questions about how the competition would go after concerning developments, but East African nations Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda mostly rose to the occasion. The return of a major tournament to the region after many years (with the exception of Rwanda hosting the 2016 CHAN) brought unprecented excitement to a competition that has struggled to generate interest at previous editions.

From the spot to the stands! 😮‍💨

Torach’s late penalty sparks unforgettable scenes as Uganda book their quarterfinal place. 🎉

Purchase your #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 tickets here 👉 https://t.co/awXbLaBpH9 pic.twitter.com/Jf1nOawNfq

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) August 18, 2025

Home supporters showed up in masse to support their teams, who responded with all three co-hosts advancing to the knockout stages. While all three bowed out at the quarterfinal stage, the teams performed well with each co-host winning their group. Supporters also turned out well for the final in Nairobi despite the previous elimination of Kenya as well as Tanzania and Uganda.

Kenya and Uganda surprised in particular with passionate support at each of their matches while Tanzania showed their qualities, even if they fell a bit short of expectations after being regarded as the most likely co-host to challenge for the title.

Considered a “dress rehearsal” for when the three nations host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2024 CHAN must be considered a significant success for East Africa as the region continues to re-establish itself in the wider picture of African football.

Morocco: Dominant force of African football in all aspects

 

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While East Africa enjoyed its time in the spotlight and provided an unprecented buzz of anticipation and excitement off the pitch, once again it was Morocco carrying the flag as North Africa won on the pitch. Olympic national team coach Tarik Sektioui meticulously selected a mix of under-23 players balanced with experience in important positions to create an efficient and well-organized team.

Led by captain and Man of the Competition winner Mohamed Hrimat, the AS FAR Rabat midfielder was the heart of the Atlas Lions team and combined forces with club teammate Anas Bach to give Morocco by far the best central midfield partnership at the competition.

Hrimat set the standard, and he did it so elegantly. 🪄

Man of the Competition, deservedly so. 🌟🇲🇦 #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/L01fo8qB2j

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) September 1, 2025

But when it came to the attack, it was the stars of Moroccan champions and 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup winners RS Berkane who shined the brightest in the knockout stages. Oussama Lamlioui led all scorers with six goals, three of which came during elimination games including a brace in the final.

 

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Winger Youssef Mehri tied for the lead with three assists and fittingly provided his first goal of the tournament in the final while Imad Riahi also contributed a goal in the group stage.

Even if Morocco have not captured the Africa Cup of Nations yet, the Atlas Lions continue to set the standard for African football at all levels beyond their surprise fourth place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Now with a record three CHAN titles following their triumph in East Africa, there is no dispute that Morocco is doing everything at the highest level in African domestic football in addition to its national team.

Resilient Madagascar highlights fierce competition and unpredictability of the CHAN

 

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It seemed unthinkable that the darlings of the 2022 CHAN would advance even further this time around, but Madagascar proved that their recent results at the competition are no fluke. Head coach Romauld “Roro” Rakotondrabe masterminded another brilliant tournament, once again directing a team that was greater than the sum of its parts.

The Barea were once again lethal on the counterattack and showed incredible resilience, advancing from their group on the final day and then overcoming co-hosts Kenya as well as Sudan before nearly shocking Morocco. Dealing with suspensions and injuries throughout the tournament, Madagascar once again made their passionate supporters proud and proved that the rise of Malagasy football is here to stay with major advancements in the professionalism and quality of their domestic scene.

Madagascar are here, and the energy is contagious! ⚡🇲🇬#TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 pic.twitter.com/cPF5RaVpvd

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) August 30, 2025

Madagascar’s run displayed a competitive tournament where no team dominated throughout. Morocco were excellent but not invincible, losing to co-hosts Kenya in the group stage and needing a late charge to advance out of a deadly Group A. Traditionally competitive sides like Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia failed to seriously prepare and were dumped out with emphasis.

Pan-Africa Football’s CHAN 2024 Team of the Tournament

Here is Pan-Africa Football’s Team of the Tournament for the #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024!

Champions Morocco 🇲🇦🏆 and finalists Madagascar 🇲🇬 are well represented as well as Senegal 🇸🇳. Sudan 🇸🇩 and co-hosts Kenya 🇰🇪 also contribute a player each.#CHAN2024 pic.twitter.com/GIt3gExPfw

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) September 1, 2025

In the defense, third place finishers Senegal may not have defended their 2022 crown but impressed with their physically imposing and impenetrable defense. Baye Ciss and Mbaye Ndiaye formed an outstanding central partnership and Daouda Ba gets the nod at left back. Madagascar captain Nantenaina “Tony” Randriamanampisoa beats out Ndiaye to partner Ciss in our team with Morocco left back Youssef Belammari and outstanding Madagascar goalkeeper Toldo competing the defense.

All eyes on Toldo, the Wall of Madagascar.🧤

No gap too small, no shot too fast. Toldo has it covered. 🇲🇬@football2gether | #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 pic.twitter.com/oY5zbKFks3

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) August 24, 2025

The midfield is highlighted by Morocco captain Mohamed Hrimat with Kenya’s Alpha Onyango joining to form a fierce central partnership. In a more advanced role, Madagascar midfielder Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa thrived as the link between midfield and attack throughout the tournament.

Top scorer Oussama Lamlioui leads the attack of course with RS Berkane teammate Youssef Mehri in support on the right wing. Versatile Sudan playmaker Abdel Raouf, of Al Hilal Omdurman, is shifted out to the left wing after showing his eye for goal and composure in the final third for the fourth place finishers.