The 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place from February 1 to 28 in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, is mired in controversy due to organisational setbacks and a significant number of withdrawals from participating nations.
The CHAN tournament, which exclusively features players competing in African domestic leagues, was introduced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2009 to spotlight local talent.
However, the build-up to the 2025 edition has been overshadowed by logistical issues, a crowded calendar, and a late announcement of the tournament, made as recently as September 2023.
These factors have led to apprehensions about the feasibility of hosting the competition on schedule, with discussions of potential postponement intensifying.
Thirty teams are set to compete in the final qualification round later this month, vying for 15 spots in the main event.
First-leg matches are scheduled from December 20 to 22, with second-leg fixtures taking place from December 27 to 29.
Senegal, the reigning champions who triumphed in the 2023 edition, will begin their title defense against Liberia in this round.
Despite the importance of CHAN as a platform for showcasing African footballing talent, 15 nations have opted out of participating in the 2025 qualifiers.
Among the absentees are Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and South Africa, with reasons ranging from an overloaded football calendar to challenges in assembling local teams.
Algeria, notably, hosted the previous edition of CHAN, which concluded with Senegal defeating them in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final.
CAF’s inability to integrate the tournament into its schedule with adequate foresight and the delays in securing prepared host nations have drawn significant criticism.
Detractors argue that these issues have undermined the credibility and growth of the competition.
Some media outlets, particularly in Europe, have called into question the tournament’s relevance, suggesting its elimination.
Despite the setbacks, CAF has reaffirmed its commitment to the tournament, rejecting notions of cancellation.
Proponents of CHAN emphasize its value as an inclusive competition that allows smaller footballing nations to participate in an international event while providing a stage for traditionally strong teams like Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Mali to assess the development of their local leagues.
To secure the tournament’s future, CAF faces the challenge of promoting CHAN as a marquee event, increasing financial incentives, and ensuring its smooth integration into the broader footballing calendar.
With matches in the final qualification round set to begin soon, attention will now shift to the participating teams and their quest for a place in the 2025 finals.
CHAN 2025 Final Qualifying Fixtures:
- Liberia vs. Senegal
- Mauritania vs. Mali
- Guinea vs. Guinea-Bissau
- Togo vs. Niger
- Ivory Coast vs. Burkina Faso
- Ghana vs. Nigeria
- Equatorial Guinea vs. Congo
- Central African Republic vs. Cameroon
- Chad vs. DR Congo
- Burundi vs. Uganda
- Ethiopia vs. Sudan
- South Sudan vs. Rwanda
- Eswatini vs. Madagascar
- Lesotho vs. Angola
- Mozambique vs. Zambia
