The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been postponed, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced. The tournament will now begin in August 2025, instead of February as originally planned. The exact start date will be revealed later.
CAF explained that the delay was due to the host countries—Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—not being ready. However, sources suggest other reasons behind the decision.
GhanaSoccer.net reported that the number of teams caused complications. CAF had initially planned for 19 teams, but now only 17 will participate.
CAF emphasized the need for domestic leagues to finish without interruptions, to maintain player momentum and avoid strain.
Despite the delay, CAF assured that good progress had been made in preparing the venues, training fields, hotels, and hospitals. Experts advised that more time was needed for full readiness.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed gratitude to the host nations’ leaders. He praised their work on upgrading facilities, stating that he was confident the standards would be met by August 2025.
The draw for the tournament took place as planned, at 8 p.m. Kenyan time, and was broadcast live on Arriyadia and the CAF YouTube Channel.
Seventeen teams are set to compete, with the host nations—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—leading the list. Other teams include Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia, Angola, and Madagascar.
The CHAN is held every two years. Unlike the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), only players from domestic leagues can participate. Foreign-based players are excluded. The tournament format is similar to AFCON’s, with 16 teams in four groups of four. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage.
Morocco has won the tournament twice, in 2018 and 2020.
Senegal, the 2023 CHAN champions, will defend their title. The tournament is important for African football, providing local players a chance to showcase their talent and advance their careers.