African Nations Championship

What is the African Nations Championship?

The African Nations Championship (CHAN) is one of the biggest international soccer tournaments on the continent. It involves the best national teams in Africa and is a biennial tournament – happening every two years. The event is unique in that every player must be active in their respective national championships and eligible to play in the ongoing domestic season.

The CHAN is distinct from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which allows African players from all over the world to compete. CHAN was first held in 2009, created as a response to the migration of Africa’s top football talent to overseas clubs. It serves to highlight the quality of locally based players and promote the growth of domestic leagues. FIFA officially recognized the competition as international “A team” football in 2014.

Organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the first tournament was hosted by Ivory Coast and featured eight teams. Subsequent editions expanded to include 16 teams, and the 2025 tournament will feature 19 teams, hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – the first co-hosting in CHAN history. The tournament is scheduled for February 1–28, 2025.

With many African national teams operating under limited budgets, CHAN provides a lucrative financial incentive. CAF has significantly increased the prize pool for the 2025 edition:

• Winners: $3.5 million
• Total prize pool: $10.4 million

The defending champions are Senegal, who claimed the 2023 title.

For players, CHAN serves as a major platform for showcasing talent, often leading to opportunities with international clubs. The competition remains a vital tool in fostering growth and development for African football at the grassroots level.

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Where is the African Nations Championship held?

The 2025 CHAN will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This marks the first time East Africa will host a continental football competition for national teams, serving as a precursor to the three nations hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

When is the African Nations Championship?

The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 1 to 28, 2025.

How do teams qualify for the African Nations Championship?

Qualification for CHAN involves regional qualifiers where national teams compete for a place in the tournament. The qualifiers for the 2025 edition are set to commence between October 25 and December 2024.

African Nations Championship tournament structure

The tournament features 18 national teams divided into groups for the initial stage. The exact format for the 2025 edition has not been detailed in the available sources, but traditionally, teams are divided into groups, with the top teams advancing to knockout stages, culminating in the final to determine the champion.

The CHAN provides a platform for showcasing local talent and contributes to the development of football within Africa by emphasizing players who compete in domestic leagues.

Past African Nations Championship Winners

The African Nations Championship (CHAN) has seen various nations claim the title since its inception in 2009. Notably, both DR Congo and Morocco have each secured the championship twice, showcasing the strength of their domestic leagues. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

• 2009: DR Congo defeated Ghana, 2-0
• 2011: Tunisia defeated Angola, 3-0
• 2014: Libya defeated Ghana, 4-3 on penalties (0-0 at full-time)
• 2016: DR Congo defeated Mali, 3-0
• 2018: Morocco defeated Nigeria, 4-0
• 2020: Morocco defeated Mali, 2-0
• 2023: Senegal defeated Algeria, 5-4 on penalties (0-0 at full-time)

Past African Nations Championship Hosts

• 2009: Ivory Coast
• 2011: Sudan
• 2014: South Africa
• 2016: Rwanda
• 2018: Morocco
• 2020: Cameroon
• 2023: Algeria

Most African Nations Championship Wins

• 2: DR Congo, Morocco
• 1: Tunisia, Libya, Senegal

Participating Nations