CHAN 2024: 6 months later…Oscar Kabwit highlights the notable transfers from the competition

CHAN 2024: 6 months later…Oscar Kabwit highlights the notable transfers from the competition

Oscar Kabwit is making a major splash at Swiss club FC Luzern after starring for DR Congo at the 2024 CHAN. Photo: FC Luzern

CHAN 2024: 6 months later…Oscar Kabwit highlights the notable transfers from the competition

It is approaching the six-month mark since the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) which took place in August 2025. Intended to be a showcase for African talent based in domestic leagues that receive limited to no exposure, the tournament continues to grow into a respected competition that allows players to advance their club careers as well as their national team hopes.

Numerous players have moved on to new destinations since the tournament took place in East Africa, with some earning exciting transfers abroad to Europe while others moved to more visible destinations within the continent. Others have also achieved transfers to the Middle East and even South America.

Pan-Africa Football takes a look at the notable transfers that cover these categories:

CHAN 2024 graduates who are in Europe

Oscar Kabwit (DR Congo)

 

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Young players under the age of 21 are always going to get special attention from clubs abroad when it comes to the CHAN, making the 20-year-old TP Mazembe attacker a hot commodity. Kabwit generated some publicity with his performances for Mazembe during the 2024-25 and 2023-24 editions of the CAF Champions League and played a crucial role for DR Congo during CHAN qualifying.

He has since moved to Swiss Super League club FC Luzern and has produced 6 goals and 4 assists in 17 matches. On loan from Mazembe, his current club has an option to purchase Kabwit permanently and if that deal does not come to fruition, his time in Switzerland is sure to draw interest from other clubs willing to sign a player who has the ability to contribute now as well as in the future.

Mathews Banda (Zambia)

The young right back had the added benefit of representing Zambia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the CHAN. After the tournament in Morocco, Banda successfully completed a move to Czech top division side Bohemians Prague.

He joined compatriot Benson Sakala at the club and has yet to make his debut as paperwork issues are sorted. An aggressive defender who enjoys getting forward and sending crosses into the penalty area, the 20-year-old has firmly established himself as a player to watch for Zambian supporters after moving from Kafue Celtic, where Patson Daka once played.

Papus Ouattara (Burkina Faso)

A player who immediately stood out with his physical build and height, Ouattara showed some inspired moments at the CHAN even if it was an unsuccessful tournament for Burkina Faso. Displaying a high work rate, the new Stade de Reims signing is a player with plenty of development still ahead.

Ouattara made his debut for the reserve team of Reims off the bench earlier this month. At 19 years of age, he is a player to watch but it will take some time before he is ready to take the next step up to getting minutes with the senior team.

Ryan Ogam (Kenya)

Another forward who impressed at the competition, the former Tusker FC star has a little less room for adaptation compared to a player like Ouattara due to the fact that he is 21 years of age.

Since completing a big transfer from Tusker to Austrian Bundesliga club Wolfsberger, the signs are a bit concerning. Limited to one substitute appearance in the Bundesliga back in early October, Ogam was given an opportunity in the first XI for a cup match but was subbed off at halftime.

While the diminutive forward impressed at the CHAN, he and his team may have been a bit too ambitious with the move to Austria.

Leonard Ngenge (Nigeria) & Manzur Okwaro (Kenya)

The two young defenders have also completed moves to Europe, with Ngenge joining Leeds United while Okwaro joined Papus Ouattara at Stade de Reims.

It is clear that these players are not expected to compete for the senior teams at their respective clubs, but are seen as players to be developed for the future. In the meantime, reserve team action and youth team matches are ahead for both.

Beni Jetour (Angola)

While many of these young players are aiming high with their destinations in Europe, the Angolan opted for a short-term move to maintain career flexibility. Jetour, who impressed with surprise Angolan top flight runners-up Wiliete SC last season, is now in Portugal with second tier side Felgueiras.

He has made six appearances for the midtable Liga Portugal 2 side before being relegated mostly to the bench recently. However, there is still plenty of potential to be unlocked with Beni who has earned some valuable minutes that may allow him to continue his club career in Portugal if he and Felgueiras part ways.

Djaa Eddine Mechid (Algeria)

The 19-year-old was limited to one half hour cameo during Algeria’s surprise group stage exit in East Africa, but Mechid earned a transfer to Russian top flight side Dynamo Makhachkala from Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle club USM Alger.

After making twelve appearances for USMA over the last season-and-a-half, the winger joins an Algerian contingent at Dynamo that includes former CR Belouizdad stars Houssem Mrezigue and Mohamed Azzi as well as fellow North Africans including Tunisian striker Hazem Mastouri and Moroccan midfielder El Mehdi Moubarik.

Francophone talents earn moves to bigger stages in Europe, Africa and even South America

Players from Francophone nations like Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea and Republic of Congo are always seeking an opportunity outside of their domestic leagues which receive little exposure.

Among the players to earn a move to an African club football powerhouse was Abdel Youssef Kaboré. The Burkinabé attacking midfielder completed a move from local club USFA to Sudanese champions and CAF Champions League participants Al Hilal Omdurman.

Guinean winger Aboubakar Bachir Bangoura moved to Al Hilal’s rivals, Al Merrikh, after the 20-year-old winger played every minute at the CHAN.

And two young talents from the Niger team also moved abroad.

18-year-old Abdel Jelil Ahamat completed a transfer to Serbian second tier side FK Jedinstvo Ub, a level of European club football that has allowed African talents to get their first exposure in Europe before moving on to bigger stages.

Ahamat’s teammate at the CHAN, Abdel-Latif Djibril Goumey, completed a move to Congolese powerhouse FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo. The 20-year-old was a creative force for the Nigerien team at the CHAN and the 20-year-old made three appearances for Lupopo in the CAF Champions League group stage.

From Central African Republic, central defender Léance Roméo Namgbema recently made his debut in Egypt’s top flight Nile League with Kahraba Ismailia after completing a transfer from Red Star Bangui at the beginning of February. The 19-year-old is a player to watch and will attempt to help the newly promoted Nile League club avoid relegation.

Finally, the most intriguing transfer came from Republic of Congo forward Chadrack Ngantsui. After making two substitute appearances the 19-year-old forward completed a transfer to Bolivian top flight side Academia del Balompié Boliviano.

 

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He joined the club alongside compatriot Dieu Le Veut Prodige and is preparing for the upcoming 2026 FBF División Profesional season which starts at the beginning of April.

The CHAN continues to be an intriguing showcase tournament that is catching the attention of clubs all around the world and making a significant impact on the world football transfer market.

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