Following its Executive Committee meeting, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the date, but not yet the venues, for the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The next edition of the CHAN will take place from February 1 to 28, 2025. This announcement was made by CAF in Nairobi. The tournament will bring together the best local national teams from across Africa, promising weeks of intense football and widespread excitement. After thorough planning by CAF, it has been confirmed that the competition will be held in East Africa. However, the specific stadiums chosen by CAF’s Executive Committee remain a mystery for now.
While waiting for further updates, the first round of CHAN 2025 qualifiers is scheduled for October 25-27, 2024. These initial clashes will see several national teams battling it out for a spot in the final tournament. The local players, eager to defend their countries’ colors, also aim to make a name for themselves internationally. This tournament often serves as a showcase for talents playing in national leagues, far from the spotlight of major European leagues.
East Africa, already buzzing with excitement, is preparing to welcome teams and fans from all over the continent. The choice of infrastructure will be crucial in ensuring the success of the event, both from a sporting and logistical perspective. The host countries also aim to use this opportunity to upgrade and modernize their sports facilities.
The CAF Executive Committee meeting also included discussions on the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by three East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This unprecedented joint organization highlights these nations’ commitment to strengthening their presence on the continental sports stage. CAF hopes to broaden football’s reach across Africa by involving more countries in hosting major events.
On the sidelines of this meeting, CAF President Patrice Motsepe visited several sites proposed by Kenya to host the 2027 AFCON matches. This visit marks an important step in preparing for the tournament, which could also serve as a springboard for CHAN 2025. The infrastructures are being rehabilitated or newly constructed to meet international standards, with the ambition of leaving a lasting legacy.
For East Africa, hosting events of this magnitude is a unique opportunity to enhance its image on the African and global stage. In addition to the sporting spotlight, these events are expected to have significant economic benefits, with a boost in tourism and investments in local infrastructure. Local authorities are counting on football to catalyze growth across several sectors.
