By Amaechi Agbo
CAF has confirmed that African Nations Championship CHAN, first introduced in 2009, will be phased out as part of a sweeping overhaul of its competition calendar.
The move marks a major shift in African football, ending a tournament that was created to spotlight home-based talent across the continent with Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana’s name not on it
The continent’s football administrator also announced that the biennial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years effective 2028
According to CAF, the decision is about relief and results. By cutting CHAN, the governing body of African Football aims to reduce the growing strain on players and national federations, fix congested schedules, and raise the standard of competition across its tournaments.
The new structure will also align more closely with FIFA international windows, a change CAF believes will allow national teams to call up stronger, more complete squads more consistently—something African coaches have long demanded.
While the full formats and qualification pathways are still to be revealed, one thing is certain: African football is entering a new era, and CHAN will not be part of it.
More details are expected soon as CAF continues to reshape the game on the continent.
