The African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are Africa’s two premier football competitions, but they serve different purposes and have distinct rules regarding player eligibility.
The African Nations Championship (CHAN), introduced in 2009, has a unique format. It is exclusively for players who are actively competing in their country’s domestic leagues.
The tournament was created to showcase homegrown talent and provide a platform for local players to gain international exposure.
For example, a Kenyan player who plays for a club outside of Kenya is not eligible to compete in CHAN.
In contrast, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which dates back to 1957, includes all eligible players, regardless of where they are based, including those who play for major clubs abroad.
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AFCON is widely regarded as the more prestigious and competitive tournament, drawing massive international attention as it aims to crown the continent’s best national team.
In essence, while CHAN focuses on the development of emerging local stars, AFCON is the continent’s ultimate stage for elite-level footballers from across the globe.
CHAN VS AFCON
- CHAN is strictly for players currently playing in domestic leagues.
- AFCON has no limitations of player eligibility, can fetch from international leagues.
- CHAN is aimed at promoting local football development.
- AFCON is about crowning the best team in Africa.
