Rwanda will square off against Djibouti in the first round of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Qualifiers after the two teams were drawn together in the qualifying draw ceremony that took place on Wednesday in Cairo, Egypt.

The first leg will be hosted by Djibouti on the weekend of 25-27 October, while Rwanda will host the second leg a week later.

The victorious side will take on the winner of the two-leg tie between Kenya and South Sudan in the second round late in December.

Five of the zones will provide three qualifiers apiece, but the CECAFA region has been given a fourth spot because Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania automatically qualify for the finals as the joint hosts, however, they will take part in the preliminaries.

Rwanda failed to qualify for the 2022 edition after their gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat to Ethiopia at Huye Stadium.

The 2024 CHAN, which will be the eighth edition of the African Nations Championship, will feature 19 teams from 1-28 February 2025.

It will serve as a test before the three East African neighbours host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.