Africa Nations Championship 2025: Fixtures and Standings

Intro

Football fans often mix up CHAN and AFCON. AFCON, the Africa Cup of Nations, features every eligible star regardless of where they play. At the same time, CHAN (African Nations Championship) is reserved only for players active in their home country’s domestic leagues. CHAN is Africa’s stage for homegrown talent.

The 2025 edition, played from 2–30 August 2025 and co‑hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, is the first tri‑nation CHAN and a dress rehearsal for the AFCON 2027 to be held in the same region. It’s also the first time the tournament uses a 19‑team format. This blog dives into fixtures, standings, rising stars, stadiums, and why CHAN matters. We’ll also explore the cultural and economic impact and the youth‑driven vibe around Africa’s domestic league showcase.

1. What is CHAN & Why It’s Different from AFCON

• Local‑League Players Only: CHAN allows only players competing in their nation’s domestic leagues. No Premier League or La Liga stars, just players who train and play week in, week out at home. CAF created the tournament to give home‑based players a platform and promote domestic leagues

• History: The inaugural CHAN was held in Côte d’Ivoire in 2009 with eight teams. DR Congo beat Ghana in the final. The tournament has since expanded, with the 2025 edition hosting 19 teams

• Purpose: CHAN complements AFCON. Where AFCON showcases Africa’s global superstars, CHAN spotlights locally nurtured talent, giving scouts a closer look at players who often graduate to European clubs. Stars such as Ayoub El Kaabi and Jonathan Bolingi used CHAN as a launchpad

  
  

2. Fixtures & Results (Updated Weekly)

The 2025 CHAN group stage ran from 2–17 August 2025. A total of 44 matches were scheduled. Key fixtures included:

Current Group Standings (as of 26 Aug 2025)

The group stage concluded with East African teams performing strongly. Here are the standings (P = Played, W = Wins, D = Draws, L = Losses, Pts = Points):

Note: For live match results and updated standings, bookmark this page—we refresh the tables every week.

How to Watch

You can follow CHAN 2025 live on SuperSport, KBC, and Azam TV in Kenya; TBC and Azam TV in Tanzania; and FUFA TV and UBC in Uganda. South Africa’s SABC Sport carries the games, while global broadcasters like beIN Sports, Canal+, and New World TV provide international coverage.

3. Rising Stars to Watch

CHAN has launched many players into Europe’s top leagues. This year’s edition continues that tradition:

• Ryan Ogam (Kenya) – Top scorer in the Kenyan Premier League with 13 goals; his finishing and movement have fueled Kenya’s attack

• Austine Odhiambo (Kenya) – A creative midfielder with five league goals plus two at the COSAFA Cup. His vision makes him a fan favourite

• Ayoub Mouloua (Morocco) – Just 22, Mouloua was the Moroccan league’s top scorer (11 goals, 3 assists)t His pace and technique could earn him a European move.

• João Manha “Kaporal” (Angola) – Prolific striker with 22 Girabola goals

• Oscar Kabwit (DR Congo) – Powerful forward known for strength and clinical finishing

• Clement Mzize (Tanzania) – 21‑year‑old forward with six league goals; his pace is deadly

• Feisal Salum (Tanzania) – Creative midfielder with vision and composure

• John Christiano Razafimanana (Madagascar) – Instrumental in qualification; known for speed and finishing 

• Abdouramane Mohamed (Niger) – Central defender and star performer

East Africa’s rise, powered by Kenya’s and Uganda’s domestic leagues, has given the region fresh confidence. North Africa, meanwhile, remains strong: Morocco and Algeria consistently produce technically gifted players who shine in CHAN and beyond.

4. Host Country & Stadiums

The 2025 CHAN is a historic tri‑nation event. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda share hosting duties, with games spread across five major venues:

Group A fixtures are staged in Nairobi (Moi International Sports Centre & Nyayo Stadium); Group B matches in Dar es Salaam; Group C in Kampala; and Group D in Zanzibar. The final takes place at Kasarani on 30 Aug 2025.

5. Economic & Cultural Impact

East Africa’s CHAN hosting has sparked a sports‑tourism boom and massive infrastructure investments:

• Shared Vision for Sports Tourism: The tournament has “catalyzed a reimagining of sports tourism and infrastructure” across the region. Co‑hosting required harmonising CAF standards, coordinating construction schedules and cross‑border inspections, paving the way for future multi-national bids.

• Kenya’s Investment: Kenya spent KSh 3.6 billion (US$27 million) on Kasarani’s refurbishment, with another KSh 3.1 billion for phase 2. The country is also building Talanta Sports City, a 60,000‑seat complex costing KSh 44.7 billion and intended as a year‑round sports and events hub.

• Uganda & Tanzania Upgrades: Uganda’s Namboole Stadium was completed after years of delays and now meets CAF/FIFA standards. Tanzania upgraded the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and is building Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium, a US$112 million project with additional training grounds. These investments aim to boost tourism and market coastal attractions.

• Jobs & Community Engagement: Construction and event hosting created thousands of jobs in construction, hospitality, and security. Fan zones with screens, food stalls, and entertainment popped up in Nairobi and Kampala, drawing families and youth. These zones fostered community pride and a carnival atmosphere.

• Soft Power & Legacy: Local governments use CHAN to project national pride and capability. Sports economist Isaac Yegon notes that the upgraded venues could anchor sports academies, attract private investment, and strengthen the talent pipeline. CHAN 2025 is therefore both a football tournament and a catalyst for urban development.

6. Fan Reactions & Hashtags

CHAN 2025 has been as much about the fans as the players:

• Vuvuzelas & Chants: East African crowds brought back the vuvuzela roar. The stands in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Kampala pulsed with drums, whistles, and creative chants.

• Social Media Buzz: Fans have shared TikTok clips of goal celebrations, stadium dances, and matchday fashion. Trending hashtags include #CHAN2025, #Pamoja, #FootballAfrica, #HarambeeStars, #BareaMadagascar and #BenjaminiMkapa. On X (Twitter), updates and memes around refereeing decisions and local heroes go viral.

• Memes & Street Fashion: Youth culture shines through colourful jerseys, painted faces, and memes mocking missed penalties or praising emerging stars.

The Africa Nations Championship 2025 proved that African football thrives when it invests in its roots. By limiting squads to domestic league players, CHAN celebrates the local heroes often overlooked in AFCON. The tri‑nation hosting by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda showcased East Africa’s capacity to stage major tournaments while delivering stadium upgrades and boosting sports tourism. Rising stars like Ryan Ogam, Ayoub Mouloua, and Clement Mzize captured hearts, and the vibrant fan culture reminded us that football is both sport and spectacle.

Bookmark our fixtures page for weekly updates, follow the latest matches on SuperSport, SABC Sport, KBC, Azam TV, TBC, FUFA TV, and UBC, and join the CHAN buzz on XTRAfrica.