Two nations will make their first appearance at the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) that will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Hosts Kenya who has missed all previous seven editions alongside Central African Republic (CAR) will be the tournament debutants amongst the 19 nations. The Harambee Stars will feature in the competition after earning qualification by virtue of being one of three co-hosts. Despite multiple past attempts, the Harambee Stars have consistently fallen at the final hurdle in qualification. They will be managed by South Africa legend and ex-Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy who has already named a 30-man provisional squad. The Stars have been drawn into Group A alongside two former champions Morocco and DR Congo, as well as Angola and Zambia and playing in front of their fans at the historic Moi International stadium, Kasarani, they will hope for to go all the way. In 2018, Kenya should have debuted still as hosts but failed to meet host requirements. Meanwhile, CAR eliminated continental heavyweights Cameroon on the away goals rule to qualify for the tournament losing 1-0 at home but won 2-1 away. They are placed in Group B, where they will take on co-hosts Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso in matches set to be played at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium, Dar es Salaam. Like the Harambee Stars, the Central African Republic will be aiming to advance past the group stages in their first appearance.