The decision to postpone the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) has been backed by footballing figures on the continent – despite wider discussions about the competition’s viability.
The tournament for domestic-based players has been moved from February to August, a decision the Confederation of African Football (Caf) made to ensure infrastructure and facilities in co-hosting countries Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are “at the levels necessary”.
Certain reports suggested that, of the three nations who will also stage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, it is Kenya where most of the work on stadiums and infrastructure is required.
However, Kenyan sports minister Salim Mvurya described those claims as “baseless” while Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed said the six-month delay would allow the country “time to improve on perfection”.
Caf’s call to postpone CHAN 2024, made just 18 days before the opening game was scheduled, has caused disruption for those teams who had already announced squads, begun training camps and booked travel and accommodation.
The mid-season timing of the tournament has also been seen as an issue, and the president of Tanzanian club Yanga, Hersi Said, welcomed the postponement given the knock-on effect on domestic leagues.
“It was too challenging,” Said told BBC Sport Africa.
“Normally in Tanzania, from February up to end of May is where we finish the league. Having the CHAN in the whole of February would [mean] the addition of a month and it might go to July.
“I am very happy that it has been moved to August. It will give us space to finish the league on time.”
