The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024), also known as TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship PAMOJA 2024, is currently captivating millions of football fans across Africa and beyond. This unique tournament, running from August 2 to 30, exclusively features the best players from Africa’s national leagues, emphasizing fair competition and a true test of local league strength and coaching prowess. Hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the championship offers a dynamic and intense schedule, with future superstars showcasing their talents on pitches across these East African nations.

The tournament is structured in two distinct stages. Initially, teams are divided into four groups: three groups consisting of five squads each, and one group with four teams. Following a rigorous group stage, the top two participants from each group successfully advance to the playoffs. These playoffs adopt a high-stakes knockout format, commencing with the quarter-finals on August 22. The entire championship culminates with the grand final match held in Nairobi on August 30.

As the group stage concluded, the tournament hosts demonstrated their strong motivation and home-ground advantage. Kenya and Tanzania confidently topped their respective quintets, each securing an impressive 10 points. Uganda also claimed first place in its group with 7 points, narrowly outperforming Algeria. While the hosts have shown formidable strength, the title is far from guaranteed. Powerhouses like Morocco and Senegal remain strong contenders. Although these teams may not feature globally renowned stars such as Hakimi or Mané, Morocco boasts a robust national league, Botola Pro, while Senegal, the winner of the previous CHAN tournament, is consistently known for its ability to deliver peak performances in decisive moments.

The group stage delivered several memorable matches and surprising outcomes. A significant sensation was Kenya's hard-fought victory over Morocco, where a single goal was sufficient for the host nation to secure the win. Another thrilling encounter saw Burkina Faso triumph over the Central African Republic with a 4-2 scoreline, notable for four of the six goals being scored in the final half-hour. Perhaps the biggest upset came when Nigeria suffered an unexpected 0-4 defeat at the hands of Sudan, a result that stunned many observers of the "Falcons of Jediane."

Among the individual talents who shone brightly during the group stage, two players warrant particular attention. Ryan Ogam, a promising 20-year-old Kenyan player from Tusker FC, scored Kenya’s crucial winning goal against Morocco and maintains an impressive average of almost one goal per game for his club. Another standout is Clement Mzize, a versatile 21-year-old Tanzanian player. Equally effective as a centre-forward and a left-winger, Mzize has drawn comparisons to Kylian Mbappé, notably scoring twice against Madagascar, highlighting his offensive prowess.

The TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 will conclude with a dazzling cultural celebration and the highly anticipated Final match on Saturday, August 30, at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. The Closing Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 14h00 local time (12h00 Morocco time / 11h00 GMT) and will be broadcast live on selected CAF partner channels, including KBC, SuperSport, Canal+, beIN Sport, New World TV, and CAF’s official YouTube channel, CAF TV. This vibrant showcase is designed as a celebration of the cultures of the three host countries—Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—under the theme "PAMOJA" (togetherness), reflecting the spirit of collaboration and unity that defined this historic edition of CHAN.

The star-studded line-up for the Closing Ceremony includes Uganda’s Grammy-nominated superstar Eddy Kenzo, globally recognized for his hit "Sitya Loss" and known for his Afrobeat and dancehall-inspired performances. Tanzania’s fast-rising sensation Zuchu, a household name in the bongo flava and Afro-pop scene and daughter of taarab legend Khadija Kopa, will bring Tanzanian flair. Representing the host nation, Savara Mudigi, co-founder of the celebrated group Sauti Sol, will showcase Kenyan musical pride with contemporary sounds and local influences. Fans can expect a spectacular mix of music, dance, and visual artistry, symbolizing East African unity and cultural influence. Reports also indicate that high-profile dignitaries, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, President William Ruto, and ODM leader Raila Odinga, are likely to be in attendance.

Following the cultural spectacle, the Final match will kick off at 18h00 local time, pitting Morocco against Madagascar. Morocco will be seeking a historic third CHAN crown, while Madagascar is chasing its first-ever continental title after what has been described as a fairytale run. Should the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 80 percent cap on stadium capacity remain, up to 48,000 football fans will be allowed into the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, which has a full capacity of 60,000. After the match, a fireworks show will add a spectacular climax to the event.

Due to the magnitude of the CHAN final match and closing ceremony, traffic on Thika Road in Nairobi will experience significant disruptions for the better part of Saturday, August 30. The National Police Service has confirmed closures of various sections and has issued advisories for motorists. Those traveling from Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) towards Thika Road (Ruiru/Juja/Thika) are advised to use Kiambu Road at Exit 4, as a roadblock will be in place at Muthaiga. Conversely, vehicles heading to Nairobi CBD from Thika, Juja, and Ruiru should use the Northern Bypass or Kiambu Road, with a roadblock at the Ruiru Interchange. Motorists intending to reach the CBD from Githurai are advised to proceed to Githurai 44, then join Kiambu Road. Vehicles destined for Mwiki will be diverted to Ruaka, then to Baba Ndogo, Lucky Summer, Nairobi River, and finally Mwiki. Road exits near Kasarani Stadium will be reserved for vehicles with access passes; motorists without these passes coming from the CBD should use the service lane at exits 7 and 8. The police emphasize cooperation with officers on-site and warn of stern action against traffic rule violators, with additional officers deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow.

For those looking to engage further with the tournament, AfroPari offers various betting options to enhance the experience. Their BetBuilder tool allows users to combine 2 or 3 outcomes for a single match, providing immediate updated odds. AfroPari also provides dedicated mobile applications for both iPhone and Android users, available for direct download from their website, bypassing app stores. These apps are designed for minimal memory usage, automatic updates, and stable performance even with weak internet connections. Additionally, placing bets through the mobile app can qualify users for a free bet equivalent to the average amount of their last 10 bets (subject to a maximum limit). These tools aim to transform spectators into active participants, making the bold tournament even more exciting.