CAF’s Expansion Push: Elevating the CHAN to Global Relevance

By; Tobbias Mutunga

The Common Pulse | August 2025

The African Nations Championship (CHAN) has always stood apart from the continent’s premier tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). While AFCON celebrates Africa’s best talent regardless of where they play, CHAN is unique, it exclusively features players plying their trade in domestic leagues. This makes the tournament not just a celebration of football, but also a mirror of the health and strength of African club systems.

But now, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is plotting a new chapter. Behind closed doors, discussions are intensifying on how to raise CHAN’s visibility, expand its prize pool, and connect it more directly with global football pathways.

Why the Expansion Push Matters

CHAN has grown steadily since its inception in 2009, but it has often been overshadowed by AFCON. Prize money has been modest, media coverage uneven, and international recognition limited. For many players, the tournament is still treated as a stepping stone rather than a pinnacle.

CAF’s new strategy could change that. By increasing prize money, the tournament would become more attractive for federations and clubs that often face financial strain sending teams abroad. For players, it could mean a bigger stage to prove themselves, and more scouts watching.

The Global Connection

Perhaps the most intriguing proposal is to link CHAN champions to international club competitions. Ideas on the table include granting winners a slot in expanded intercontinental tournaments or building stronger CAF-FIFA ties to give CHAN greater global exposure. This would elevate the status of local African leagues and make participation far more prestigious.

Visibility & Broadcasting

CAF also recognizes that visibility is everything. Better broadcasting rights, partnerships with global streaming platforms, and creative digital campaigns could push CHAN highlights beyond Africa’s borders. Just as AFCON is now a global spectacle, CHAN could carve out its own niche, showcasing the raw, homegrown talent that often blossoms into Africa’s next global stars.

In a football world dominated by Europe’s elite leagues, CHAN is Africa’s reminder that talent doesn’t need to leave home to shine. With CAF’s expansion push, the tournament could transform from a secondary competition into a cornerstone of African football’s identity, a place where domestic leagues gain respect, and local heroes earn global recognition.

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