CAF to boost CHAN competitiveness by allowing all players in African leagues?

•  The 2024 African nation’s championship, in Kenya, could welcome players from other African leagues.
•  The news as reported by various media organs is a recommendation from CAF boss Patrice motsepe, with the final decision to come after the Executive Committee
• CHAN is a competition designed for players plying their trade in their country’s domestic league.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering a major change in the eligibility criteria for the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The proposed change would allow not only players from each country’s domestic league, but also players who play in other African leagues, to represent their country in the prestigious competition.

As reported by Rwanda’s leading daily News time, Patrice Motsepe, CAF president, hopes to continue celebrating African talents reasons why this recommendation will be thoroughly discussed at the next Executive Committee.

Motsepe said: “the most important thing is that African players are recognized and take part in the competition. We will study this point in the Executive Committee. This must be an evolution for CHAN.”

The African nation’s championship is a biennial association football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), featuring national teams consisting of players currently playing in their respective local leagues.

However, this change will see footballers playing out of their respective countries within Africa Join the national team in the continental showpiece.

“You may be an Algerian player, play in a club in Egypt, and represent your country at CHAN,” Motsepe explained.

This recommendation could enhance the competitiveness of CHAN by allowing players from different African leagues to join their national teams. However, this might also reduce the chances of local players being selected, as coaches might prefer those who play in more competitive leagues than their own.

The 2024 edition of the CHAN will be held in Kenya. CAF has announced that the number of teams will increase from 16 to 18.