By Andrew Gum
On 15 January 2025, the draw for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) took place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was attended by prominent sports administrators, including Hussein Muhammad, President of the Football Kenya Federation; Wallace Karia, President of the Tanzania Football Federation; and Moses Magogo Hassim, President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).
This draw follows the successful joint bid by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to host the 2027 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking a significant milestone for East African football. The CHAN tournament is now scheduled for August 2025, postponed from February to give the hosting countries more time to complete and upgrade their facilities to meet the required standards.
Organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), CHAN is an exclusive tournament for players competing in domestic leagues within Africa, excluding those playing abroad. Football administrators, including Moses Magogo, emphasised that a successful CHAN tournament would be a stepping stone towards hosting a successful AFCON in the region.
The 2025 CHAN comes with good news: CAF has announced an increase in prize money for the tournament, with the winner set to receive USD 3.5 million, up from USD 2 million in the previous edition held in Senegal. This significant boost is seen as a positive step towards football development in Africa.
Cranes’ road to the 2025 CHAN
The Uganda Cranes have previously participated in CHAN tournaments in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. Despite qualifying for every edition, the team has yet to progress beyond the group stage.
Head coach Paul Put recently named a provisional squad for the 2024 CHAN, featuring 34 players from the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and two from other leagues. This selection offers local talent a platform to showcase their abilities on the continental stage. The squad was later trimmed to 28 players as part of the preparations.
Uganda has been drawn into Group C alongside Niger, Guinea, and two other teams yet to be determined. These additional opponents could include Algeria, South Africa, Egypt, Comoros, Gambia, or Gabon, posing a significant challenge for the Cranes.
The team’s hopes rest on forward Allan Okello, the top scorer in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, alongside key players Jude Ssemugabi and Charles Lwanga, who are expected to maintain an energetic and dynamic attacking line.
The 2025 CHAN presents a renewed opportunity for the Uganda Cranes to break their group-stage curse and make history by advancing further in the competition.
With improved preparations, strategic leadership, and determination, the team and its fans are optimistic about a strong performance that could inspire future successes, including the upcoming 2027 AFCON.
