After a long wait, finally the delayed African Nations Championship, which is being held by three East African countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will kick off today.
The opening ceremony for the 8th edition will be held today at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium starting at 7pm EAT, followed by the opening match pitting hosts Taifa Stars of Tanzania against West African side Burkina Faso at 8pm in Group B.
It’s a unique opportunity for Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to prove their worth as they stage the African premier domestic players tournament.
Besides showcasing their ability, three EAC member country states will also use the tournament to rehearse for hosting the African Cup of Nations in 2027.
It’s 3rd time lucky for Kenya to stage the regional football tournament after it was stripped of the hosting rights in 2018 due to infrastructural delay and replaced by Morocco, who went on to lift the trophy.
Group A:
Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia
Group B:
Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic
Group C:
Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Algeria, South Africa
Group D:
Senegal, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria
Before then, Kenya was granted the opportunity to play host for the AFCON tournament in 1996, which was later taken to South Africa due to Kenya’s lacklustre infrastructure.
All 44 matches of the tournament will be live on KBC Channel 1 and its affiliate FMs.
