The Confederation of African Football, CAF, announced on Tuesday that the 2024 African Nations Championship, CHAN, originally set to begin on February 1, has been postponed to August.
The decision, made public via the CAF official website, was taken to allow additional time for the completion of critical infrastructure and facilities in the host nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
CAF’s Technical and Infrastructure experts, who have been stationed in the host countries, recommended the delay to ensure that the necessary infrastructure meets the required standards for the tournament.
Although significant progress has been made in upgrading stadiums, training facilities, hotels, and hospitals, more time is needed to ensure everything is fully ready for a successful event.
CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, expressed confidence that the infrastructure will be up to CAF’s standards by the time the tournament begins.
He also praised the commitment and leadership of the host nations’ presidents Kenya’s William Ruto, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni for their efforts in driving progress.
READ ALSO : Nigeria’s Abdulsallam to officiate at CHAN 2025
“I am confident that the infrastructure will meet CAF standards to host a very successful tournament in August 2025,” Motsepe said.
Despite the postponement, the tournament draw will proceed as scheduled on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya, at 8:00 p.m. local time. The exact start date in August 2025 will be announced later.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team continues its preparations for the CHAN tournament, with head coach Eric Chelle arriving at the team’s camp in Ikenne, Ogun State, just a day after his official unveiling in Abuja.
Chelle, alongside his agent Sidibe Brehima and NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen, traveled from Lagos to the Remo Stars Sports Institute.
Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, President Ibrahim Gusau clarified that while Chelle would take on a supervisory role, Daniel Ogunmodede, Fidelis Ilechukwu, and Olatunji Baruwa, who initially qualified the team, would remain in charge of preparations.
The Super Eagles B team will compete alongside 18 other nations, with a CAF prize of $3.5 million (N5.4 billion) awaiting the tournament winner.
Crediblenewsng.com
