The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a major decision: the cancellation of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition reserved for players exclusively in local African leagues.
Its president, Patrice Motsepe, explained this choice with both economic and strategic considerations. According to him, the CHAN no longer aligns with the current priorities of the continental body and was generating significant financial losses. Designed to showcase local talent and promote national leagues, the tournament struggled to ensure profitability, especially in terms of broadcasting rights, sponsorship, and ticket sales. In a context where CAF wants to enhance the attractiveness and financial viability of its flagship competitions, this decision marks a decisive turning point.
Now, the challenge is to determine what alternative will fill this gap and how players from domestic leagues will continue to gain exposure on the African stage.
For Serigne Saliou Dia, the national U20 coach and former head of the local team and U17s, CAF’s decision will have significant repercussions. “We must first regret this decision,” he says, emphasizing that the disappearance of the CHAN could heavily penalize players in national leagues. For these talents seeking recognition, the competition was a prime showcase and a springboard to international opportunities.
Created in 2007 and held for the first time in 2009 in Côte d’Ivoire, the tournament saw the Democratic Republic of Congo win the very first edition. Eight other editions followed, gradually establishing the CHAN as a major event in local African football, before this decision abruptly halted it.
Beyond the financial arguments presented, the entire development dynamic of African domestic football is now weakened.
