In African football, two premier continental tournaments generate excitement and pride across the continent — the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
While both are organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and follow similar formats involving group stages and knockout rounds, they are designed for different purposes and have distinct eligibility rules.
What Makes CHAN Unique?
Established in 2009, CHAN is a tournament exclusively reserved for players who are active in their domestic leagues. That means only footballers playing for clubs in their home countries can be selected. For instance, a Kenyan striker playing for Gor Mahia is eligible to feature for Kenya at CHAN.
However, if that same player transfers to a club in Tanzania, South Africa, or Europe, they become ineligible, even if they remain Kenyan nationals.
This rule makes CHAN a rare platform for locally-based talent to shine on the continental stage — players who often don’t get opportunities in the senior national teams dominated by foreign-based stars.
Former CAF President Issa Hayatou once explained the competition’s purpose:
“We designed it with the players who play in our domestic leagues in mind — those who rarely get called up to the senior national team, which is ninety-nine per cent made up of players based in Europe. This competition will enable local players to showcase themselves and increase their market value to recruiters.”
CHAN also provides national team coaches with a valuable chance to assess local players under international competition conditions, grooming future prospects for senior squads and global transfers.
AFCON: Africa’s Flagship Football Event
In contrast, AFCON is Africa’s most prestigious football tournament and one of the oldest continental competitions in the world, first held in 1957. It is open to all eligible players, regardless of where they play professionally — whether in the English Premier League, French Ligue 1, or Saudi Pro League.
As a result, AFCON typically features Africa’s top footballing talent, most of whom are based in elite international leagues. The tournament attracts global media attention, commercial sponsorships, and widespread viewership, making it a major event on the FIFA football calendar.
While AFCON commands greater prestige, CHAN holds its own importance by nurturing domestic football and offering a launchpad for local players who may rise to international stardom.
Another difference lies in the level of competitiveness. Since CHAN teams are composed solely of local players, the tournament tends to offer a more level playing field. AFCON, on the other hand, often reflects disparities in football development and access to international exposure, with countries boasting more foreign-based players usually enjoying better outcomes.
