2018 African Nations Championship to get underway in Morocco

The 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicks off in Morocco on Saturday. This will be the 5th edition of the competition organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

CHAN is reserved for players who play in their domestic leagues. Expatriate players, regardless of where they play, are not qualified to participate.

This year’s tournament was initially due to be held in Kenya, however CAF stripped the country of the competition because of infrastructure concerns. In October 2017, Morocco was announced as the new host nation for this year’s CHAN, with matches to be held in Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir and Tangier.

Reigning champions Democratic Republic of Congo will not be at Morocco as they were defeated by Congo in the qualifying process.

The opening match will be contended by Morocco and Mauritania at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on Saturday.

CHAN contenders

Pooled in four groups, sixteen teams will be competing in this year’s CHAN.

Group A (Casablanca)

Morocco

Guinea

Sudan

Mauritania

Group B (Marrakech)

Cote d’Ivoire

Zambia

Uganda

Namibia

Group C (Tangier)

Libya

Nigeria

Rwanda

Equatorial Guinea

Group D (Agadir)

Angola

Cameroon

Congo

Burkina Faso

2018 CHAN’s final will be played at the Stade Mohamed V on Sunday, 4 February.

Visit CAF’s official website for a full breakdown of the draw schedule.