Africa’s CHAN Trophy Unveiled: Wanyama, Onyango & Ngasa Launch New Era
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially introduced the brand‑new trophy for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), dubbed “PAMOJA 2024.” The launch ceremony featured three legendary East African football icons—Victor Wanyama of Kenya, Denis Onyango from Uganda, and Mrisho Ngasa of Tanzania—who starred in a specially produced video unveiling the design.
Legends Unite at the Reveal
On 1 August 2025, CAF premiered a video presentation featuring Wanyama, Onyango, and Ngasa, symbolising unity across the three host nations as they unveiled the trophy. Their involvement added gravitas and regional pride to the launch, emphasising both footballing excellence and East African collaboration. Their joint appearance reinforced the tournament’s spirit of cooperation and shared heritage.
PAMOJA 2024: Festival of Unity
PAMOJA—which means “together” in Swahili—serves as the official branding for CHAN 2024. CAF developed this rebranding to reflect the cultural synergy and footballing passion that define the tournament. The combined hosting by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania (from 2 to 30 August 2025) marks the first time CHAN will be staged across three nations, setting a historic precedent for East African sport.
This edition will feature 19 teams composed exclusively of players competing in their home domestic leagues, elevating the championship’s role in showcasing home‑grown talent and reinforcing its identity as a celebration of local football.
Design Symbolism: More Than Just a Trophy
The new CHAN trophy architecture blends elegance and symbolism. It incorporates gold and silver elements—a nod to prestige and aspiration—while featuring a globe‑like appearance punctuated by a map of Africa at its centre. Sixty‑plus teams or fifty‑four association‑lines spiral up the surface: each line represents one of CAF’s 54 member nations, visually underscoring the continental unity embedded within the competition.
CAF officials have highlighted that every detail is meaningful: the lines capture the diversity of Africa’s footballing journeys, and the central map anchors the trophy to its pan‑African roots. The design speaks to shared history, ambition, and the collective dreams of players and supporters.
Deepening Prestige & Economic Growth
The introduction of this new trophy is part of a broader strategy to elevate CHAN’s status. CAF has also increased the tournament’s prize money: the champion will now claim USD 3.5 million—a 75 % increase—while the total prize pool stands at USD 10.4 million, up 32 % from the previous edition. These enhancements reflect CAF’s goal to boost the competition’s competitive appeal and economic value.
East African co‑hosting duty has already catalysed major investments in stadium renovations, infrastructure, hotels, and logistics—many of which are intended to support Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania’s readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tournament Highlights & Ambitions
CHAN 2024 will act as a dress rehearsal for AFCON 2027, giving East African cities the opportunity to shine on a continental stage. The tournament opens in Dar es Salaam on 2 August 2025 with Tanzania facing Burkina Faso. Uganda begins its campaign on 4 August 2025 at Kampala’s Mandela National Stadium.
Matches will be played across multiple venues: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kampala, and Nairobi, with the grand final scheduled at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre on 30 August. CAF—and its commercial partner TotalEnergies—are using CHAN to reinforce brand visibility while highlighting grassroots football and regional pride.
Conclusion
The unveiling of the new TotalEnergies CAF CHAN PAMOJA 2024 trophy, prominently backed by East African football icons Victor Wanyama, Denis Onyango, and Mrisho Ngasa, represents more than a visual rebranding. It encapsulates CAF’s vision to unite the continent through football, spotlight local talent, and spark lasting economic and cultural impact within the region. With enriched prize money, historic co‑hosting, and a trophy steeped in symbolism, CHAN 2024 is poised to deliver a celebration of African unity, identity, and sporting excellence. As the tournament unfolds in August 2025, it marks a defining moment for domestic football and pan‑African cooperation—an inspiring foundation for the future.
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