THE CONFEDERATION of African Football (CAF) has postponed the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) from its original February 2025 schedule to August 2025.
This decision, described as a pragmatic move by CAF, follows advice from its Technical and Infrastructure experts who recommended more time for the host nations—Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—to finalise preparations.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe lauded the leaders of the host countries for their dedication and progress in infrastructure development.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for their leadership, commitment, and the good progress made,” Motsepe stated via CAFOnline. “I am confident the infrastructure will meet CAF standards to host a very successful tournament in August 2025.”
This year’s postponement mirrors similar challenges faced by African football tournaments in recent years, where infrastructure concerns have prompted schedule adjustments. The Explainer learned that, despite the delay, the draw for the tournament will proceed as planned on 15 January 2025 at Nairobi’s iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre. The tournament’s final schedule will be announced later.
The postponement has provided additional preparation time for Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles B team. Head coach Eric Chelle, who officially took charge 24 hours after his unveiling in Abuja, arrived at the team’s camp in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, to oversee preparations.
Accompanied by his agent Sidibe Abraham Brehima and NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen, Chelle’s arrival signals a focused approach to readiness.
The Explainer gathered that, despite being the head coach, Chelle’s role will largely be supervisory, with Daniel Ogunmodede, Fidelis Ilechukwu, and Olatunji Baruwa—the coaches who secured Nigeria’s qualification—retaining control of day-to-day team activities.
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CHAN, a tournament exclusively for home-based players, has grown into a significant competition on the African football calendar since its inception in 2009. Its unique structure, featuring only players plying their trade in their domestic leagues, has provided a platform to showcase local talent.
This year’s edition will feature 18 teams, including the co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, alongside powerhouses like Morocco, Guinea, and Senegal. Nigeria, one of the tournament favourites, will aim to replicate or surpass their 2018 performance when they finished as runners-up to Morocco.
The Explainer also learned that CAF’s announcement of a $3.5 million (N5.4 billion) prize for the tournament winner has heightened competition among participating nations, with teams gearing up to secure the prestigious title.
For Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, this marks the first instance of co-hosting a major CAF tournament.
