Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian music icon and Next Level Music boss Raymond Shaban Mwakyusa, popularly known as Rayvanny, is set to electrify the opening ceremony of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which will take place at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The much-anticipated event, scheduled for August 2, 2025, will mark the official kickoff of the tournament that brings together national teams made up exclusively of players active in their domestic leagues.
This year’s edition is especially historic as it will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda the first time the tournament has ever been jointly hosted by three countries.
According to a report, Rayvanny has officially confirmed his participation and will be among the headline performers during the colourful opening gala, which is expected to feature a blend of African rhythms, cultural displays, fireworks, and spectacular visual effects.
The performance will set the tone for a tournament that celebrates African talent both on and off the pitch.
“This is more than music, it’s about representing our nation and the entire East African region on a continental stage. I am honored and ready to give fans an unforgettable show,” Rayvanny say.
Rayvanny, a BET Award-winning artist and one of Tanzania’s biggest musical exports, is renowned for his energetic stage presence, hit songs such as Teamo, Tetema, and Mchepuko, and his ability to blend traditional Bongo Flava with modern Afrobeats and global sounds.
His involvement adds a powerful entertainment edge to CHAN 2024’s opening ceremony.
A Regional Showcase
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has endorsed an elaborate plan by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to make the opening ceremony a vibrant display of unity, culture, and excellence.
It will not only promote Tanzania’s growing sports and entertainment industry but also affirm East Africa’s readiness to host major international events.
Officials from the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and Ministry of Arts, Culture and Sports are reportedly working around the clock to ensure every detail from security to media coverage and VIP coordination, is world-class.
“We want this event to send a clear message to Africa and the world: Tanzania is ready, East Africa is united, and CHAN 2024 is going to be unforgettable,” said one official involved with the LOC.
CHAN 2024: More than Just Football
While CHAN is traditionally seen as a football tournament focused on homegrown players, this year’s edition has taken on a broader cultural and diplomatic significance, especially for the host countries.
For Tanzania, being the venue of the opening match and the grand ceremony is a chance to showcase its hospitality, infrastructure, and creative industries.
Rayvanny’s performance symbolizes the fusion between sports and culture, with the artist expected to share the stage with other African performers, traditional dancers, and a high-tech audiovisual production team.
What to Expect
According to insiders, the ceremony will feature: A countdown sequence projected in 3D across the stadium; traditional dance troupes from all three co-host nations.
It will also feature live collaborations between Rayvanny and surprise guest artists; and a pyrotechnic light show synchronized with live music; a digital tribute to CHAN legends and East African football icons.
With over 60,000 fans expected to fill Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, and millions more watching across Africa and the world, the opening ceremony is shaping up to be one of the most iconic sporting spectacles ever hosted in Tanzania.
