The Chan 2025 draw has set the opponents for Senegal, reigning champion, who will try to defend their trophy won in 2023 in Algeria. Placed in Group D, the local Lions will face Sudan, Congo and Nigeria in a tough group.
The draw for the 2025 African Nations Championship (Chan) took place yesterday at the prestigious Kenyatta International Conference Center (Kicc) in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was led by Hassan Wasswa, a Ugandan international footballer playing as a midfielder. The 19 teams entered, including two places to be distributed, were divided into 4 groups: three groups of five teams and one group of four. Senegal, reigning champions and led by Souleymane Diallo, have been placed in Group D, alongside Sudan, who have one of the best local bases in Africa, Congo, quarter-finalists in 2018 and 2020, and Nigeria, back after missing two editions.
Group B appears to be fairly homogeneous with the Tanzanian host, Madagascar, semi-finalist of the previous edition, and three “surprise” teams: Mauritania, who eliminated Mali to qualify, Burkina Faso, who qualified. offered the scalp of the Ivory Coast and the Central African Republic, which won a historic qualification by being the executioner of Cameroon.
Morocco with the DRC, Algeria on stand-by
Group A will feature a clash between the only two Nations that have won the Chan twice: DR Congo, crowned in 2009 and 2016, and Morocco, victorious in 2018 and 2020. This group of five teams also includes Kenya, one of the host countries, as well as Angola and Zambia, which promises two derbies for the Congolese and overall strong adversity.
A 2nd qualifying tournament with Algeria, Egypt, Gabon…
Finally, there remains the case of Group C. For the moment, only the Ugandan host, Niger, semi-finalist in 2023, and Guinea are known in this group, which will welcome the two teams who will validate their ticket during the 2nd tournament qualification. Caf announced this Wednesday that it will pit 7 selections against each other on a date to be determined: Algeria, Comoros, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi and South Africa.
All these selections had initially declined their participation in the Chan, before changing their minds under pressure from Caf and also due to the 75% increase in the bonus promised to the winner.
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(With wiwsport.com)
