The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has officially confirmed that the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will take place from February 1 to 28, 2025. This follows a postponement from its original September 2023 schedule due to a congested football calendar and issues with stadium certification.
The announcement was made during a CAF Executive Committee meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday, September 16. The revised dates come after a period of uncertainty as the host nations—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—awaited official confirmation.
Motsepe expressed optimism about the upcoming tournament, highlighting the commitment of the three East African nations to provide world-class facilities for CHAN. He commended the leaders of the host countries, particularly Kenyan President William Ruto, for their dedication to the tournament’s success.
“I express deep gratitude to President Ruto for the inspiring message he gave this morning. Yesterday, I visited three stadiums, and I was very impressed by the innovations and upgrades I saw. I am very pleased with the progress,” Motsepe said.
Motsepe further emphasized the passion for football in East Africa and expressed confidence in the ability of the three nations to deliver an exceptional tournament.
“I would like to thank all the ExCo members. I am confident that next year’s CHAN tournament in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will be the best ever,” he added.
Historic Milestone for East Africa
This will be the first time that East African countries host the prestigious CHAN tournament, which features domestic players from across the continent. The event presents a unique opportunity for the region to enhance its football infrastructure and showcase its potential on the international stage.
Motsepe also praised Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for their support in hosting the tournament across the three nations. “I look forward to returning to check on the progress,” he noted.
Looking Ahead: CHAN and AFCON 2027
The decision to reschedule the tournament coincides with Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania securing the rights to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This will mark a historic moment for East African football, as it will be the first time the region hosts the continent’s premier football tournament.
The stadiums inspected by Motsepe during his visit are expected to play a key role in both the 2025 CHAN tournament and the 2027 AFCON.
“CHAN is going to contribute significantly to the development of domestic players, and I am confident that football in this region will continue to grow,” Motsepe said, underscoring the tournament’s importance in nurturing local talent.
Since taking office in March 2021, Motsepe has overseen several reforms in African football. Under his leadership, CAF has increased prize money for major competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations and the Champions League. He has also launched the African Football League, a new initiative aimed at raising the profile of football across the continent.
With the congested CAF calendar, the qualifiers for CHAN 2025 are set to begin the weekend of October 25-27, with remaining matches scheduled for December.
This upcoming tournament represents a major milestone for East African football, marking a significant step forward in infrastructure development and the promotion of domestic talent.
