From facilities to fan turnout: What coaches say about TotalEnergies CHAN 2024
The TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 has drawn praise from several coaches for its competitive edge and organisation — but also sparked conversations about the areas that could lift the tournament even further.
Co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda under the Pamoja (“Together”) banner, this year’s event in East Africa has been a platform for local talent to test themselves against some of the continent’s most disciplined sides.
And while the football has been compelling, so too have been the observations from those in the dugout.
High-Level Football on Display
Mauritania coach Arturo López Garai has followed the competition closely and says the standard of play has been strong from the opening fixtures.
“I have followed all the matches since the start of the competition and I can say the level is high. I especially watched Algeria’s match—they have a very good team that we have already faced—as well as Morocco’s game. The match between Kenya and Angola was also superb. The overall level is truly satisfying,” he said.
He pointed to the quality of facilities as a strength, but also expressed hope that fan turnout would grow: “The facilities are excellent. I hope the supporters will continue to come in large numbers, because football is for the players but also for the fans.”
Tanzania Eyes Tournament Growth
Tanzania coach Hemed Suleiman echoed the praise for the organisation but linked it directly to the tournament’s role in raising standards across African football.
“The CHAN TotalEnergies is going perfectly well so far. The level of the teams is remarkable and the tournament is very well organized,” he affirmed.
He added that the on-pitch development of sides has been visible from one matchday to the next:
“Thank you to CAF for all it is doing. Across the different matches, we can clearly see how teams are improving from one game to the next.”
Madagascar’s View on Consistency
For Madagascar coach Romuald Rakotondrabe, who has now been part of two consecutive CHAN tournaments, the most notable element is consistency in delivery.
“CAF’s organization is very good. I have participated in two CHAN editions, and each time, the level of organization is remarkable. Congratulations to CAF for this work.”
He also felt the level of competition remained strong across the field: “The overall level of the national teams is very good.”
South Africa Coach Notes Logistics and Security
South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki brought an additional perspective, pointing to the smooth logistics and player welfare during the competition.
“The accommodation and transport have been excellent, and the security provided to us has made us feel very safe; the host country is clearly taking good care of everyone.”
He was equally pleased with the training environment: “The training facilities are of a high standard, which has been appreciated by players and staff alike.”
Ntseki also recognised the importance of tournament discipline behind the scenes: “The organising committee deserves praise for strictly adhering to the rules and regulations of the competition, including protocols regarding team arrivals, stadium procedures, press conferences, and scheduling, all of which have been meticulously managed.”
For him, the takeaway is a sense of progress: “As Africans, we are proud of the standards being set at this tournament, and we are grateful for all the effort put into its preparation and execution.”
Balancing Praise With the Next Steps
While the remarks from coaches underline satisfaction with the tournament’s current delivery, they also highlight what could drive future editions forward: maintain bigger crowds, more visibility for local players, and continued investment in matchday experience.
For now, CHAN 2024 continues to offer an insight into African football’s potential — both in the quality of the competition and in the operational lessons it provides for organisers and teams alike.
