CHAN 2014 kicks off today

Jan 11, 2014

THE talk has been done, promises been made and all that is left now is the official launch of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cape Town

By Fred Kaweesi

Africa Nations Championship

Today, 7pm, On SS4

South Africa v Mozambique

Saturday, 10pm, On SS4

Mali v Nigeria

Sunday, 6pm, On SS4

Zimbabwe v Morocco

Sunday, 9pm, On SS4

Uganda v B.Faso

THE talk has been done, promises been made and all that is left now is the official launch of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cape Town.

Uganda Cranes are part of the 16 sides set to contest for honours in Africa’s second most prestigious cup competition after the main Nations Cup tournament.

The Cranes set foot in South Africa on Thursday and were delighted with the facilities at their base in Western Cape.

They had a couple of training sessions at Langa Stadium yesterday ahead of their first group fixture against Burkina Faso tomorrow.

The Cranes, who are accommodated at the luxurious Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard Hotel, will have a light session this morning before attending what could be a mind-blowing opening ceremony at Cape Town Stadium.

Boasting some of South Africa’s musical heavyweights, the ceremony is set to leave fans in awe with explosive artistic musical expressions by prominent and award-winning artists such as The Soil, Mi Casa, Jimmy Ddludlu, Zolani Mkiva and Jessica Mbangeni.

The tournament’s Local Organising Committee CEO Mvuzo Mbebe said: “As the LOC we believe that how we open this tournament will be an indication of the action to follow on the football pitch,” Mbebe stated.

“We have made a promise to Africa that we will deliver a high quality and seamless tournament as we did at AFCON.”

Match tickets go for as little as R40 (sh9000) to a maximum of R200 (sh47, 000).

Group A

Nigeria and South Africa are the favourites to progress from this group ahead of Mali and Mozambique. Nigeria are seeking a second African national team title in South Africa within 13 months after their Africa Cup of Nations achievement in February last year.

South Africa are equally confident they can conquer Africa for the first time since winning the 1996 Cup of Nations.

Group B

Burkina Faso and Morocco are also the favourites to progress from this group.

Morocco called on seven members of the Raja Casablanca team that defied the odds to reach the Club World Cup final.

Uganda and Zimbabwe are the other teams in the group.

Group C

Ghana and Libya are favourites ahead of Congo-Brazzaville and Ethiopia.

Group D

DR Congo, winners of the maiden CHAN tournament five years ago in Ivory Coast and Gabon are favourites from this group ahead of Burundi and Mauritania.

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