The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON or CAN) and the African Nations Championship (CHAN) are two major football tournaments organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), but they differ significantly. AFCON, established in 1957, is Africa’s most prestigious competition, bringing together the continent’s top players regardless of where they play professionally, including Europe and other international leagues.
On the other hand, CHAN, created in 2009, focuses exclusively on promoting domestic African football. Only players active in their home country’s national leagues are eligible, excluding expatriate players competing abroad. This rule makes CHAN a showcase for local talent and a stepping stone for players to attract broader international attention.
Besides player eligibility, these tournaments differ in their media exposure and sporting impact. AFCON enjoys global viewership, fueled by the presence of African stars from top leagues, while CHAN gives crucial visibility to local leagues and domestic football, often overlooked internationally. CHAN is viewed as a developmental tournament, whereas AFCON is the premier event in African football.
Finally, both tournaments are held biennially, usually alternating, thereby strengthening African football’s development while providing different opportunities for national teams to compete and excel.
