The CHAN kicks off on Saturday August 2 in Dar es Salaam as Tanzania take on Burkina Faso at the National stadium.
Co-hosts Tanzania will face off with Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mauritania and tournaments debutants Central African Republic (CAR).
In the second of our five series about profiling each group, Ismael Kiyonga gives you everything you need to know about Group B teams.
Tanzania
Nickname: Taifa Stars
Number of Appearances: 3rd
Titles: None
FIFA Ranking: 103
How They Qualified
Tanzania secured their place in the tournament as one of the three co-hosts, alongside Kenya and Uganda. This presents a golden opportunity for the Taifa Stars to showcase their footballing development on home soil.
Head Coach: Hemed Morocco
With a reputation for tactical discipline and an attacking approach, Hemed Morocco will lead Tanzania as they aim to make a historic impact in the CHAN tournament. Morocco’s experience with both the senior and U20 teams brings stability and ambition to the Taifa Stars.
Past Tanzania CHAN Performances
Tanzania previously participated in the 2009 and 2020 editions of the tournament but were eliminated at the group stage on both occasions. This year, they aim to rewrite history and achieve a deeper run.
Madagascar
Nickname: The Barea
Participations: 2 (2022, 2024)
Titles: None
Best Performance: Third place (2022)
FIFA Ranking: 115
How They Qualified
Madagascar secured their spot at CHAN 2024 with a confident display against Eswatini. A 2-0 home victory in the first leg set the tone, and despite a narrow 1-0 loss in the return leg, the Barea advanced on aggregate to book their place in East Africa.
Head Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe:
Nicknamed “Rôro,” Rakotondrabe is a master tactician whose philosophy emphasizes fluid, attacking football. He has transformed Madagascar into a cohesive unit capable of competing against Africa’s best.
His focus on technical precision, quick transitions, and offensive versatility has made the Barea a formidable force. Known for his adaptability, Rakotondrabe often employs a high-intensity pressing game that disrupts opponents’ build-up play while maximizing his team’s attacking opportunities.
His tactical discipline and ability to nurture young talent have positioned him as one of the continent’s emerging coaching minds. Under his guidance, Madagascar aims to surpass their third-place finish from 2022 and challenge for the ultimate prize.
Mauritania
Nickname: Les Mourabitounes
Appearances: 3 (2014, 2018, 2022)
Last Appearance: Algeria 2022
Best Performance: Quarter-finals (2022)
Titles: 0
FIFA Ranking: 111
How They Qualified
Mauritania earned their ticket to CHAN 2024 with a solid performance in the qualifying rounds. Drawn against Mali in the second round, Mauritania won 1-0 in Nouakchott before holding their opponents to a 0-0 draw in Bamako. This result secured their place in the finals and highlighted their defensive discipline and tactical maturity.
Head Coach: Aritz López Garai
Spanish tactician Aritz López Garai took charge of the Mauritanian CHAN team in December 2023. With extensive coaching experience in Spain and Mauritania, López Garai has already made an impact by steering FC Nouadhibou to domestic success and a historic group-stage appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup.
A former player, López Garai featured for Spanish clubs such as Celta Vigo, Córdoba, and Sporting Gijón before transitioning to coaching. Known for his modern and attacking philosophy, he prioritizes a proactive style of play that seeks to dominate opponents.
As he embarks on his first national team competition, López Garai aims to lead Les Mourabitounes to a deeper run in CHAN 2024, building on the foundations laid during Mauritania’s previous campaigns.
Mauritania at CHAN
CHAN 2024 marks Mauritania’s fourth appearance in the tournament. The team made its debut in 2014 in South Africa and has shown steady improvement over the years.
Their best performance came in Algeria 2022, where they advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time. This achievement underscored their growing competitiveness on the continental stage and serves as motivation for further progress in 2024.
Burkina Faso
Nickname: The Stallions
Appearances: 3 (2014, 2018, 2020)
Best Performance: Group stage
Titles: None
FIFA Rankings: 63
How They Qualified
Burkina Faso secured their place at CHAN 2024 in dramatic fashion by overcoming Côte d’Ivoire in the final round of qualifiers. After suffering a 2-0 defeat in Abidjan during the first leg, the Stallions mounted a spectacular comeback in the return fixture. Goals from Aboubacar Traoré and Alain Kanté leveled the aggregate score before Burkina Faso triumphed 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
This remarkable turnaround showcased the team’s resilience and provided a blueprint for tackling the challenges that lie ahead in the tournament.
Head Coach: Issa Balboné
Appointed in April 2024, Issa Balboné has quickly left his mark as head coach of Burkina Faso’s CHAN and U23 teams. Known for his tactical adaptability, Balboné’s approach was pivotal in overturning the deficit against Côte d’Ivoire during the qualifiers.
A seasoned figure in Burkinabé football, Balboné has managed top-tier clubs like USFA, AS Police, and Canon du Sud. He also serves as an assistant to Brama Traoré for the senior national team, reflecting his integral role in the country’s footballing project. His leadership will be crucial as the Stallions aim to advance beyond the group stage for the first time.
Central African Republic
Nickname: Wild Beasts of Bas-Oubangui
Number of Appearances: First
Best Performance: N/A
Titles: None
FIFA Rankings: 134
How They Qualified
In a historic feat, CAR overcame Cameroon in the qualification round. After suffering a narrow 0-1 home defeat in the first leg in Abidjan, the team pulled off a remarkable 2-1 victory in Bafoussam, Cameroon, thanks to a late goal from Bertillon Arnold Yangana.
Head coach: Sébastien Ngato:
A visionary tactician, Ngato has guided the Central African Republic to unprecedented heights. Known for his defensive solidity and effective counterattacking strategies, he employs a 4-3-3 formation tailored to the strengths of his players. With previous successes at the U20 level, Ngato’s leadership has been instrumental in reshaping CAR’s football narrative.
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Article source: CAFOnline
