Cape Town Co-Host 2014 African Nations Championship

South Africa plays against Mozambique at Cape Town Stadium on 11 January 2014 in the first match of the 2014 Orange African Nations Championship (also known as the African Championship of Nations or CHAN).

The continent’s top 16 national teams will be doing battle for three weeks over 32 matches in the Mother City, Polokwane and Mangaung. The final as well as the play-offs for second and third place will take place at Cape Town Stadium on 1 February 2014.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), SAFA (SA Football Association) Cape Town, City of Cape Town and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) are working together to give fans a memorable experience. Half of the CHAN 2014 matches will be played in Cape Town, six of them at Athlone Stadium.

CHAN takes place every second year, alternating with the ever-popular Africa Cup of Nations. The host country plays as a representative of its region. The 16 places in the tournament are allocated as follows: two each for North Zone and Zone West A; and three each for Zone West B, Central Zone, Central-East Zone and Southern Zone.

Most importantly, the championship does not allow anyone playing league football in another country to participate. So, don’t expect to see any of the big African stars enrolled in European or even African leagues on the field. With this rule, CHAN hopes to encourage top-notch African players to continue playing in their home countries. It’s an unfortunate fact that many talented footballers leave their country of birth to play for foreign teams that offer fame, fortune and exposure.

South Africa has a tough draw in the first round in Group A against Mali, Nigeria and Mozambique. Group B sees a face-off between Zimbabwe, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Morocco. Group C comprises Ghana, Libya, Ethiopia and Congo. Congo DR, Gabon, Burundi and Mauritania have been drawn in Group D.

Join in the excitement and get your tickets. Tickets are on sale from Shoprite/ Checkers stores and Computicket outlets countrywide and online. Ticket prices range from R40 to R200.