The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been postponed until August 2025, just 18 days before its scheduled kickoff in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) cited unprepared infrastructure as the reason for the delay, leaving teams, fans, and organizers scrambling to adjust.
The decision to delay CHAN, a tournament reserved for domestic-based players, came as CAF experts concluded that the hosting nations required more time to meet the “necessary levels” for infrastructure and facilities. CAF President Patrice Motsepe remained optimistic, stating, “I am confident that the stadiums, other infrastructure, and facilities will meet the requisite CAF standards for hosting a very successful CHAN in August 2025.”
CHAN was set to act as a vital dress rehearsal for the nations’ much-anticipated joint hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations—the first three-way hosting in the tournament’s history.
Despite the postponement, CAF has confirmed that the group stage draw will proceed as planned in Nairobi, even though the final lineup of teams remains uncertain.
The postponement also highlights underlying challenges surrounding CHAN. Libya and Tunisia’s withdrawals reduced the original 19-team roster, prompting CAF to plan an additional qualifying competition. Furthermore, with more than 10 countries declining to enter the initial qualifiers, questions about the tournament’s viability persist. The clash between CHAN and domestic league schedules, which forces clubs to release players mid-season, remains a sticking point.
In an effort to rejuvenate interest, CAF recently announced a 75% increase in prize money, with the winners set to receive $3.5 million (£2.8m) and a total prize pool of $10.4 million (£8.5m). Senegal, the defending champions, triumphed in the last edition held in Algeria, further cementing their status as one of the continent’s footballing powerhouses.
 has been delayed until August 2025, with CAF citing unprepared infrastructure in host nations Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.){kind=link}