CHAN 2016: Schedule of Dates, Fixtures, Groups and More
CHAN 2016 will be the fourth edition of the African Nations Championship and is due to take place in Rwanda, as 16 countries from the continent prepare to do battle.
The biennial tournament has a unique twist in its rules, featuring only players exclusively from their respective national leagues.
The action kicks off on Saturday, and concludes on Feb. 7—with the final at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali.
Here is the group draw, including a full schedule of matches for the opening stage of the competition:
| Rwanda | Congo | Tunisia | Zimbabwe | |
| Gabon | Angola | Nigeria | Mali | |
| Morocco | Cameroon | Niger | Uganda | |
| Ivory Coast | Ethiopia | Guinea | Zambia |
| Jan. 16 | 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | A | Rwanda vs. Ivory Coast |
| 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | A | Gabon vs. Morocco | |
| Jan. 17 | 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | B | Congo vs. Ethiopia |
| 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | B | Angola vs. Cameroon | |
| Jan. 18 | 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | C | Tunisia vs. Guinea |
| 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | C | Nigeria vs. Niger | |
| Jan. 19 | 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | D | Zimbabwe vs. Zambia |
| 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | D | Mali vs. Uganda | |
| Jan. 20 | 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | A | Rwanda vs. Gabon |
| 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | A | Morocco vs. Ivory Coast | |
| Jan. 21 | 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | B | Congo vs. Angola |
| 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | B | Cameroon vs. Ethiopia | |
| Jan. 22 | 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | C | Tunisia vs. Nigeria |
| 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | C | Niger vs. Guinea | |
| Jan. 23 | 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | D | Zimbabwe vs. Mali |
| 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | D | Uganda vs. Zambia | |
| Jan. 24 | 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | A | Morocco vs. Rwanda |
| 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | A | Ivory Coast vs. Gabon | |
| Jan. 25 | 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | B | Ethiopia vs. Angola |
| 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | B | Cameroon vs. Congo | |
| Jan. 26 | 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | C | Guinea vs. Nigeria |
| 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | C | Niger vs. Tunisia | |
| Jan. 27 | 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | D | Zambia vs. Mali |
| 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | D | Uganda vs. Zimbabwe |
CHAN 2016 Preview
As the majority of Africa's superstar players continue to ply their trade in Europe and beyond, the African Nations Championship offers homegrown talent the chance to make their mark in the shirt of their country.
The opportunity to represent their nations is a rare one for many of the players, but the tournament allows individuals to prove their credentials.
Reigning champions Libya—winners in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2014—failed to qualify for the current edition of CHAN, guaranteeing a change in the holders of the trophy.
The complete lack of overseas club players means the competition begins on a much more even keel, with less traditional countries making a splash at the event.
CHAN 2016 also offers players the chance of being spotted by foreign scouts, opening up lucrative moves as teams search for hidden gems.
Rwanda make their second appearance at the competition and will host CHAN 2016 throughout January and February.
A host nation is yet to make the final in the championship since its inception, offering Rwanda a steep hurdle to jump in order to break the mould.
There is no runaway favourite to claim the title this year, but Congo and Tunisia could be front-runners when the group stage is complete, as previous championship winners. Morocco were impressive during qualifying while beating Libya home and away—scoring seven goals without reply—and will have a chance of making a strong impression in the coming weeks.
Nigeria's Super Eagles are likely to make it deep into proceedings, as the countries with stronger domestic leagues prevail. Along with Tunisia in Group C, the two teams should sweep past Niger and Guinea to progress.
Major stadium renovations have been made ahead of the action in Rwanda, and the country is now well prepared to host a major African championship.
The level playing field is the element that makes CHAN 2016 both interesting and exciting, and it is impossible to tell who holds the edge in the opening week of the tournament.
All information via CAFonline.com.
