CHAN 2025: a particularly competitive edition

The qualifying draw for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Nations Championship (CHAN) is scheduled for October 9, 2024 in Cairo. For Morocco, this competition, exclusively reserved for local players, is of strategic importance.

African football is preparing to experience a key moment with the qualifying draw for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled for October 9 in Cairo, Egypt. This event, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will mark the official start of preparations for one of the most followed competitions on the continent.

The 2025 edition of CHAN will take place from February 1 to 28 in three East African countries: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. This co-organization will provide a valuable opportunity for these nations to improve their sporting infrastructure, in preparation for another major event on the horizon, the 2027 African Cup of Nations (CAN), which they will also host.

The qualifying phases: a crucial issue
Before planning for the final phase, the African teams will have to go through arduous qualifications. These will take place in a round-trip format, with a first round scheduled for October 25 to 27 and November 1 to 3, 2024. Qualified teams will then compete in the second round, from December 20 to 22 and from December 27 to 3, 2024. December 29, 2024, to try to win their ticket to the final tournament.

This edition of CHAN promises to be particularly competitive, especially since many teams aspire to succeed Senegal, reigning champion after winning the 2022 edition in Algeria. The big favorites, such as Morocco, double winner in 2018 and 2020, as well as DR Congo, crowned twice in 2009 and 2016, will be particularly expected during these qualifications.

Singularity
CHAN, created in 2009, is distinguished by its particularity: only players playing in the local championships of their respective countries can participate. This unique rule highlights the raw talent and quality of local players, often overshadowed by their counterparts playing in Europe or other international leagues.

For African federations, this competition represents an exceptional showcase for the development of national football and the discovery of promising new talents.

A tournament that is gaining notoriety
Over the years, CHAN has evolved considerably, becoming an unmissable event for African football fans. In 2022, the tournament organized in Algeria brought together thousands of spectators in the stadiums and attracted millions of viewers around the world.

The rise of digital also contributed to the increase in engagement around the event, with extensive coverage on social networks. The commercial value of the competition has also increased. Today, the winner of CHAN pockets a reward of two million dollars, further strengthening the interest of the federations in this event.

A springboard towards CAN 2027
In addition to the competition itself, the organization of CHAN 2025 represents a crucial test for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. These three nations will have to prove their capacity to host large-scale events, particularly with a view to CAN 2027. The smooth running of CHAN will therefore serve as a dress rehearsal for the preparation of infrastructure, logistics and management of the crowds expected for the Cup. of African Nations.

As the draw approaches, the teams prepare to face a new qualifying campaign, with the hope of shining on the continental stage. CHAN 2025 promises to be a pivotal moment for African football, with sporting, economic and infrastructural issues which will have a lasting impact on the development of the king sport on the continent.

An opportunity for Morocco

Morocco, double winner of the African Nations Championship in 2018 and 2020, is approaching the 2025 edition with a new challenge, with its sights set on the 2025 and 2027 African Cup of Nations, as well as the 2030 World Cup. After having shone in previous editions, the local Atlas Lions have a reputation to defend and a dynamic to maintain.

The CHAN represents for Morocco much more than a simple tournament: it is a platform to continue to highlight the pool of players playing in the local championship and to strengthen the country’s place on the continental scene.

Beyond the purely sporting aspect, this competition is also an opportunity for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to continue to establish its national football development strategy, which includes both local teams and sports infrastructures. .

Sami Nemli / ECO Inspirations