After some nerve wrecking CHAN 2014 qualifier encounters, the final 16 teams descended in Egypt to gear themselves up for yet another ground-breaking football tournament as the quest for the crowning of Africa’s Home Champions gets underway from 11 January to 1 February 2014.
The sixteen (16) participating teams, the media, and high profile sport delegates came in large numbers to see the teams being drawn into groups. For the host cities, there was keen interest in seeing popular teams being
drawn into the group they are hosting.
CAF Second Vice President and Chairman of the CHAN Organising Committee, Almamy Kabele Camara, said “the CHAN is a good tribute to local footballers.
It has given local players a platform to showcase their talents to a global audience. The idea mooted by CAF President Issa Hayatou is a good initiative and has started yielding results.
“Today, the CHAN is the second biggest tournament after the flagship Africa Cup of Nations. The number of teams has increased from eight to sixteen (16) and it has generated so much interest and attention not only in Africa but globally.
“For this edition, we commend the Government of South Africa for ensuring that all is well for the successful hosting of the tournament.”
Echoing the sentiments the LOC Chairperson, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana said: “Africa and the entire football community must give praise to CAF for one of the most innovative idea to have come out of this beloved continent of Africa.
It is important to note that CHAN 2014 may kick off the Celebrations of 20 Years of Our Democracy, thus making this tournament the only event where the entire nation can unite behind one common objective – the celebration of African football and Africa’s Home Champions.
There is a huge expectation to execute and deliver the African Nations Champions to the same standard as that of AFCON 2013. Yes we are fully committed to producing and staging a world-class event where Africa’s Home Champions shine. We will also be taking the experience from AFCON 2013 in our preparation and readiness to execute CHAN 2014.”
At the end of it all it all, came down to the following:
Group A : South Africa, Mali, Nigeria, Mozambique
Group B : Zimbabwe, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Morocco
Group C : Ghana, Libya, Ethiopia, Congo
Group D : DR Congo, Gabon, Burundi, Mauritania
There will be 32 matches played in 16 match days with Cape Town hosting two quarter finals games and the other two in Mangaung and Polokwane.
The Semi Finals will both take place in Mangaung whilst Cape Town hosts final and third-place matches.
The Secretary General of CAF, Mr. Hicham El Amrani, conducted the draw and was assisted by Cllr Garin Cavanagh from City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee, Cllr Freddy Greaver the Executive Mayor of City of Polokwane and Clr Maditaba Joyce Matsoetlane from the Mayoral Committee of Mangaung.
Orange CHAN South Africa 2014 will be hosted in 3 host cities, Cape Town:
Cape Town Stadium for Group A and Athlone Stadium for Group B.
Mangaung and Polokwane will host Group C and D.
Free State Stadium for Mangaung and New Peter Mokaba Stadium for the City of Polokwane.
The tournament kicks-off from January 11 to February 1 2014.
