THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the postponement of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals, which were set to take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1 to 28.

The tournament will now be held in August 2025, with the decision attributed to the need for more time to complete and upgrade critical infrastructure.

In a statement, CAF acknowledged significant progress made by the three host nations but emphasized that additional efforts are necessary to meet the standards required for a successful tournament.

“Good progress has been seen in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in the construction and upgrading of stadiums, training grounds, hotels, hospitals, and other infrastructure and facilities for the successful hosting of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024. However, CAF’s technical and infrastructure experts have advised that more time is needed to ensure that these facilities are up to standard,” the statement read.

CAF’s technical team has been conducting regular inspections in the host countries and concluded that, while the preparations are commendable, several aspects of the infrastructure need more time to be finalized.

The CAF President, Patrice Motsepe (pictured), extended his gratitude to the leaders of the three host nations for their dedication to the project.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for their leadership and the good progress made in the construction and upgrading of football infrastructure. I am amazed by the ongoing construction and renovation of stadiums, training grounds, and other facilities in these countries,” Motsepe said.

Motsepe expressed confidence that by August 2025, the necessary infrastructure will be ready, enabling the three countries to deliver a world-class tournament.

In Tanzania, preparations are reportedly nearing completion, with significant work done on key facilities. 

The Chairman of the Tanzanian CHAN Internal Preparation Committee, Leodegar Tenga, highlighted the progress made in the country.

“To make the competition a success, the Government has undertaken crucial renovations and construction of infrastructure. This includes work at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. 

“Additionally, training grounds such as Gymkhana, Law School, and Major General Isamuhyo have been constructed as requested by CAF,” Tenga said.

Tenga noted that Tanzania’s preparations are more than 95% complete, and CAF officials who have inspected the facilities have expressed satisfaction with the progress.

“Although there are a few final touches to complete, the inspections have shown that Tanzania is ready to host the tournament,” Tenga added.

The CHAN tournament, held every two years, is unique in that it exclusively features players who compete in their respective domestic leagues. 

This edition of the tournament will involve 19 nations and is a significant event for the region, showcasing local talent while boosting infrastructure and economic activity.

The collaborative effort among Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda marks a historic moment for East Africa, as the three nations work together to host a major continental football event.

CAF’s decision to postpone the tournament reflects its commitment to ensuring that the host nations can deliver a memorable event. The organization has pledged to continue working closely with the three countries to provide technical support and guidance during the remaining stages of preparation.

“We remain optimistic that the additional time will allow for the completion of the required facilities and ensure the tournament’s success,” CAF stated.

The CHAN finals are eagerly anticipated by football enthusiasts across Africa, and the new timeline gives host nations the opportunity to meet CAF’s standards and expectations. 

For now, the focus will be on completing the infrastructure to showcase East Africa’s capabilities on the continental stage.