Final whistle nears in CHAN’s East African journey

DAR ES SALAAM: A MONTH of continental football, played out across the breathtaking landscapes of East Africa, draws to a close this weekend.

Today, attention turns to the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda, where Sudan and Senegal face off for third place.

Tomorrow, Madagascar and Morocco will battle it out for the crown. But to speak only of the final matches is to miss the richness of the journey that brought us here.

This year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN), hosted jointly by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, has done more than produce goals and drama it has offered a football experience shaped by movement, terrain and shared history. From the sun-drenched coastlines of Dar es Salaam to the cool highlands of Kampala, the tournament has flowed like the great rivers of the region meandering but full of life.

Algerian Coach, Madjid Bougherra summed it up best. His team moved between Kampala, Nairobi and Zanzibar, yet for him, the travel was not a burden but a bonus.

“It is good to travel because when you stay in one place too long, it can become routine,” he said. His side, unfazed by long journeys and shifting climates, reflected the adaptability that this competition demanded. Even when faced with heavy pitches and sudden downpours, like at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium, Bougherra refused to complain.

“It was okay. A little heavy because of the rain, but nothing changed in terms of performance,” he said.

The unique format CHAN’s first-ever tri-nation hosting brought the tournament alive in ways beyond the pitch. Coaches, players and fans have been part of something new, something shared. It’s not only a football story; it’s an East African story, told through movement, resilience and rhythm.

As we prepare to crown the champions tomorrow, we also salute the journey that made it all memorable. A journey that began not just with a ball at the centre circle, but with a map stretching across three nations and a competition that dared to be different.

As the 2025 regional football tournament nears its conclusion, the Man of the Match awards throughout the group and knockout stages have not only highlighted standout individual performances but also painted a broader picture of national influence and consistency on the pitch.

With 36 matches played so far, 36 individual accolades have been handed out to players whose contributions have made the difference, often deciding games in tight contests or solidifying dominance in more comfortable victories.

Tanzania, Morocco and Kenya emerge prominently in the count of individual award winners. Tanzania leads the tally with four Man of the Match honours, awarded to Feisal Salum (twice), Mudathir Yahya and Clement Mzize.

Morocco closely follows with three players being recognised across the stages Mohamed Hrimat (twice), Youssef Mehri and Oussama Lamlioui, in addition to Youssef Belammari in the semi-final. Kenya also produced four different awardees: Alpha Chris Onyango, Byrne Omondi, Ryan Ogam and Alpha Onyango (awarded again in the quarterfinal despite the team’s exit).

Madagascar’s Ramandimbisoa Toldo has been the most decorated individual in this tournament, claiming the Man of the Match title on three occasions each of them in significant matches that boosted Madagascar’s remarkable run to the final. His influence in the group stage and the knockouts has been a key factor in the side’s tactical strength and resilience.

Sudan, often seen as underdogs, have also seen a strong showing in individual brilliance. Abdelrazig Taha Yagoub Omer received the award twice, including in the emphatic 4-0 win over Nigeria.

Alongside Mohamed Alnour Adam Saeed and Salah Eldin Adil Ahmed Al Hassan, Sudan’s tally stands at four awards. This individual form has mirrored their impressive collective performances, which saw them edge past Algeria on penalties in the quarter-finals and push Madagascar hard in a tightly contested semifinal.

Statistically, the Man of the Match awards have been spread across 19 different countries, with a few nations seeing multiple players receives recognition.

Notably, countries like Uganda, Guinea, Algeria and DR Congo have also seen two or more players named best on the day.

In numerical terms, over 30 per cent of the total awards have gone to players from five countries Tanzania, Kenya, Morocco, Sudan and Madagascar showing a concentration of consistent impact from these nations.

Tonight’s third-place playoff between Sudan and Senegal will be more than a consolation fixture. Both sides have produced standout performers Sudan with Omer and Saeed and Senegal with Libasse Gueye and Seyni Mbaye Ndiaye who could once again step forward to shape the outcome. It’s a match likely to test depth and mental resilience, particularly with penalties playing a recurring role in this year’s knockout rounds.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s final between Morocco and Madagascar, anticipation is high. Morocco, unbeaten and dominant in both defence and midfield transitions, have seen their influence grow through players like Hrimat and Belammari.

ALSO READ: Rakotondraibe sends 10-Man Madagascar to CHAN final

Meanwhile, Madagascar’s journey, powered by the likes of Toldo and Randriamanampisoa, reflects a team that thrives under pressure and plays with disciplined creativity. Statistically, Morocco’s players have claimed four Man of the Match honours compared to Madagascar’s three but the match promises to be closer than numbers might suggest.

With individual accolades pointing to consistent team effort, the stage is set for two more intense contests, both of which will offer one final opportunity for individual brilliance to tip the balance.