CHAN 2024, organized jointly by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from February 1 to 28, sees several major African nations absent.
The African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, reserved for local players, will take place without five major pillars of African Football: Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Mali. While the competition is not gaining prestige, it is still difficult for some countries to consider it a top priority.
The absences of nations such as Tunisia (2 participations: 2009, 2011, with a title in 2011), Egypt (1 participation: 2014) and South Africa (3 participations: 2011, 2014, 2020) are an example logic of this lack of consideration. However, these countries do not appear in the following list, as they are considered to be recurring absentees despite the quality of their championship. On the other hand, other great nations are truly missing among the qualified for CHAN. Let’s look back at their past performances and the context of their elimination.
1. Algeria
Hosts of the 2023 edition, the local Fennecs reached the final after an impressive run, not conceding a goal until their defeat against Senegal (0-0, 5-4 on penalties). However, Algeria has given up participating in CHAN 2024 despite the return of Madjid Bougherra as coach.
The Algerian Federation announced it in a press release: “ The federal office took the decision not to participate in this competition and to redirect efforts and resources towards the young categories, male and female. “. Too bad, a CHAN with Islam Slimani, Andy Delort or even Ryad Boudebouz would have looked great…
2. Cameroon
The Cameroona traditional force, reached the quarter-finals in 2023, where it was surprised by Niger (1-0). The Indomitable Lions, present five times at CHAN (2011, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2023), had shown limits in their collective play. During the CHAN 2024 qualifiers, they were surprised by Central Africa. After a 1-0 victory in the first leg, Cameroon lost 2-0 in the return, leaving the Central Africans to create the feat.
3. Ivory Coast
THE Elephants had exited the 2023 competition in the group stage, finishing last with just one win in three games. With four participations (2009, 2016, 2018, 2023), they are struggling to impose themselves in a tournament which promotes local championships, despite the strong return of ASEC Mimosas in CAF interclub competitions.
During the qualifiers for 2025, the Romaric gang faced the Burkina Faso in the second round. Despite a 2-0 victory in the first leg, the Stallions equalized in the return match (2-0) and won 4-2 in the penalty shootout. Those who saw the nugget Oumar Konaté in revelation of CHAN will therefore have to wait…
4. Ghana
Absent from CHAN since 2014, the Black Galaxies made their return in 2023, reaching the quarter-finals before losing against Madagascar. With three participations (2009, 2014, 2023), the Ghana had regained a certain brilliance. However, during the second round of qualifiers for 2025, they were eliminated by Nigeria after a West African shock. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, they lost 3-1 in the return, ending their hopes of qualification.
5. Mali
Finalists in 2016 and 2020, the Eagles locals had been eliminated in the group stage in 2023, in a competition where they had failed to impose their defensive solidity. With six participations (2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2023), they are among the most experienced teams. However, in the qualifiers for 2025, they were beaten by Mauritania in the derby. A 1-0 defeat in Nouakchott, followed by a 0-0 draw at home, sealed their fate.
