After the 2010 edition of AFCON, CAF changed the format for the latter to be in odd-numbered years so as not to clash with the FIFA World Cup. Subsequently, CHAN’s schedule was also affected in that it started being hosted biennially (every two years) in even-numbered years since 2014.
The inaugural edition of CHAN was in 2009 and the second edition in 2011. Since then, subsequent editions of CHAN have been falling in even-numbered years though the event may be played in an odd-numbered year due to logistical reasons. However, that doesn’t change the nomenclature for the edition.
Not to be confused with the Africa Cup of Nations, CHAN in full is the Championship of Africa Nations. It is a tournament of African national teams where the eligible players are only those who are plying their trade in the domestic leagues. In other words, the tournament is played by national teams featuring only home-based players. It is the opposite of the Africa Cup of Nations for all intents and purposes.
Because CAF gave the three East African countries the hosting rights of CHAN after they won the bid to stage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. CHAN is seen as a dry-run to help prepare the three East African countries for Africa’s biggest continental tournament come 2027.
Five stadiums will be used. They are Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in Uganda, Kasarani and Nyayo in Kenya and lastly Amman Stadium in Zanzibar and Benjamin Mkapa in Dar es Salaam.
Twelve matches will be played at Namboole over 8 match days of the competition.
The champion will walk away with Ush 12B. The runner-up on the other hand stands to receive just under Ush 6B.
