TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: Senegal’s title defence begins

As the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 kicks off looms, all eyes are on defending champions Senegal as they begin their title defence on East African soil.

The much anticipated eighth edition of the tournament will take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda between 02 – 30 August, with 19 strong contenders set to contest the coveted TotalEnergies CAF CHAN title.

In a tournament filled with history, ambition, and pride, the Teranga Lions arrive not only as title holders but as the undisputed standard-bearers of African football excellence.

This year’s competition marks a historic milestone—it will be co-hosted by three nations for the first time in CHAN’s history.

The upcoming edition also signals the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN’s return to East African soil for the first time since Rwanda staged the tournament in 2016, bringing with it fresh energy, enthusiastic fans, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Senegal’s rise in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable. Their senior national team captured the continent’s imagination by winning the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2021.

That triumph set the tone for a golden era in Senegalese football.

Since then, the country has clinched titles in every major CAF competition available to them: CHAN 2022, AFCON U-17, AFCON U-20, and the Beach Soccer AFCON.

This unprecedented run of success highlights the depth, talent, and cohesion within Senegalese football structures, and makes them a formidable force at every level.

Their 2022 triumph in Algeria was historic. Not only did they lift the title for the first time, but the tournament itself set new benchmarks—breaking previous records for stadium attendance and television viewership across Africa and beyond.

As the 2025 edition begins, the pressure is now on Pape Thiaw’s squad to maintain Senegal’s dominance. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the Teranga Lions are more than capable of mounting a serious title defence.

For the East African hosts, this is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of football’s unifying power. For Senegal, it’s a continuation of a legacy.