CHAN 2024: Hosts Bow Out, But Tournament Thrives

The TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 has reached its thrilling semi-final stage with defending champions Senegal, two-time winners Morocco, and surprise packages Sudan and Madagascar set to battle for a place in the final.

The last-four line-up was confirmed after a dramatic quarter-final weekend in East Africa that ended in heartbreak for the co-hosts — Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda — who were all eliminated despite passionate home support.

With the tournament staged across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the semi-finals will showcase a mix of continental heavyweights and underdog fairytales, promising an unforgettable climax to what has already been one of CHAN’s most compelling editions.

Senegal vs Morocco: Heavyweights Collide in Kampala

Defending champions Senegal underlined their title credentials with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Uganda in front of over 35,000 fans at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

The Lions of Teranga were pushed to their limits by a spirited Ugandan side, who enjoyed more possession and created numerous chances but failed to convert. Oumar Ba struck the decisive blow in the 62nd minute, while Senegal’s defensive unit, marshalled by Seyni Ndiaye and goalkeeper Marc Diouf, held firm under pressure.

That victory booked a semi-final date with Morocco, who themselves survived a stern test against co-hosts Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

The Atlas Lions prevailed 1-0 thanks to Oussama Lamlaoui’s fourth goal of the tournament, brilliantly set up by Youssef Belammari. Despite missing key defenders Bouchaib El Arsi, Marouane El Ouedni, and Abdelhak Assal, coach Tarik Sektioui’s side showed tactical maturity and resilience to extend their extraordinary knockout-stage record. Morocco have now won seven consecutive CHAN elimination matches since 2014, a streak that underscores their pedigree.

The Kampala clash between Senegal and Morocco brings together two former champions in what is expected to be a fiercely contested encounter between Africa’s finest.

Sudan vs Madagascar: The Fairytale Continues

While Senegal and Morocco represent the established elite, Sudan and Madagascar embody the magic of underdog stories at CHAN 2024.

Sudan pulled off one of the shocks of the tournament by eliminating 2022 finalists Algeria on penalties in Zanzibar. After a 1-1 draw that stretched into extra time, Kwesi Appiah’s men held their nerve in the shoot-out, triumphing 4-2.

An own goal by Ayoub Ghezala had put the Falcons of Jediane ahead, before Soufiane Bayazid equalised for Algeria. But it was Sudan’s goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja who proved decisive, saving two penalties and sealing his side’s place in the semi-finals.

Having already demolished Nigeria 4-0 earlier in the group stage, Sudan are riding a wave of confidence, with Appiah declaring that his players “will not stop here” as they aim to reach their first CHAN final.

Their opponents, Madagascar, are scripting their own fairytale. The Barea stunned debutants Kenya in Nairobi, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Alphonce Omija’s header gave the hosts the lead, but Madagascar responded through a penalty from Fenohasina Razafimaro. In the shoot-out, veteran goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa, at 39 years old, emerged as the hero with two key saves before Toky Rakotondraibe converted the winning kick.

Madagascar’s resilience and giant-killing pedigree make them a dangerous opponent, and their clash with Sudan in Dar es Salaam promises to be one of the most intriguing ties in the competition’s history. 

Despite the exits of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the tournament has delivered passion, drama, and packed stadiums across East Africa. The three host nations may have fallen at the quarter-final hurdle, but their involvement has helped elevate CHAN 2024 into a celebration of African football at its finest.

Now, attention turns to the semi-finals, which will provide two fascinating contrasts:

A heavyweight duel between defending champions Senegal and two-time winners Morocco.

An underdog battle between rejuvenated Sudan and fearless Madagascar.

Semi-Final Fixtures – Tuesday, 26 August 2025

17:30 – Madagascar vs Sudan – Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam

20:30 – Morocco vs Senegal – Mandela National Stadium, Kampala

The winners will advance to the final on Saturday, 30 August, as CHAN 2024 edges towards a dramatic conclusion that could crown either a familiar champion or a historic first-time winner.