8 Major Differences Between AFCON and CHAN as East Africa Prepares to Make History

When it comes to African international  football, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the most recognisable tournament on the continent.

 However, many fans, especially those from East Africa,  are now becoming more familiar with its younger cousin, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) — a tournament that shares similarities with AFCON but is fundamentally different in many crucial ways.

With Kenya preparing to co-host CHAN 2024 alongside Uganda and Tanzania, it's worth examining how CHAN compares to the iconic AFCON — from player eligibility to financial impact and overall purpose.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Here are eight ways both tournaments are fundamentally different.

The most important distinction between AFCON and CHAN lies in player eligibility.

AFCON is a tournament that has no limitations in terms of player eligibility, no matter where they play their club football. That means stars like Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), and Achraf Hakimi (PSG) are eligible to represent their countries.

CHAN, however, is strictly for players currently playing in their domestic leagues. A Kenyan player in the English Championship or Qatari Stars League cannot participate — only those based in the Kenyan Premier League qualify. That is why stars like Michael Olunga are not part of the Harambee Stars squad for the 2024 edition.

This rule makes CHAN a uniquely domestic-focused competition, allowing homegrown talent to shine on the continental stage.

As a result, players who play at CHAN do not earn official "A team" caps and the tournnament itself has no bearing on FIFA rankings.

AFCON is and remains Africa’s premier tournament — the continental championship akin to the UEFA European Championship. First played in 1957, it is steeped in history and prestige, and its winners are celebrated as kings of African football.

In contrast, CHAN, established in 2009, serves a different purpose. It was created to promote local football development, encourage national associations to invest in domestic leagues, and provide exposure to home-based players who might otherwise go unnoticed.

While AFCON is about crowning the best team in Africa, CHAN is about developing future stars.

Because CHAN only features domestic league players, it has become a major scouting platform for clubs across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

AFCON, on the other hand, usually features established professionals who are already known quantities to scouts and clubs. 

CHAN is where a relatively unknown striker from Gor Mahia or AS Vita Club might earn a life-changing move to a top league. 

Even some of the biggest Premier League stars used CHAN as a platform, with Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma and Leicester City’s Patson Daka perfect examples of beneficiaries who got snapped up by European clubs after doing well in the 2015 and 2017 editions respectively.

AFCON commands huge global TV audiences and commercial backing. Sponsors include major brands like TotalEnergies, Visa, and Puma. Matches are broadcast across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

CHAN, while gaining popularity, has less media attention and generates lower commercial revenue. Broadcasting is often limited to regional networks, although this has improved with each edition.

That said, hosting CHAN remains an important achievement for any country. Kenya's co-hosting of CHAN 2024 marks a significant step in football diplomacy and infrastructure development.

AFCON tournaments require major infrastructure investments: world-class stadiums, training bases, hotels, and media facilities. They often serve as a national project, drawing heavy scrutiny from CAF and the public.

CHAN, while still significant, is more accessible to mid-tier African football nations. It doesn’t demand the same logistical scale, making it a more flexible tournament to host.

AFCON offers significantly higher prize money and financial incentives for federations, players, and coaches. For example, the winner of AFCON 2023 took home over $7 million, with substantial bonuses for participation, placement, and progression.

CHAN prizes are however more modest.In January, CAF announced an increased prize structure for the tournament. The governing body confirmed that the total prize money on offer would be $ 10.4 million (KSh 1.4 billion), which is a 32% increase from the previous tournament, but   that money would be enough to reward AFCON finalists alone. 

CHAN prizes are more modest, though they still provide critical income for many federations and individual players. For players in local leagues, even a smaller bonus can make a huge impact.

Both tournaments are held every two years, but they are staggered so that they do not fall in the same calendar year. This ensures that African fans enjoy major continental football every year.

CAF has also worked to align AFCON’s timing more closely with European club schedules — a nod to the increasing influence of international football economics. CHAN 2024 is taking place in August, which could suit European clubs that wish to snap up talents before the tournament. 

AFCON is a top-tier competition used to test the strongest squads, affect FIFA rankings, and set the tone for World Cup qualification.

CHAN is used differently — national coaches view it as a developmental tool, a way to blood new talent, test tactical systems, and identify players for future AFCON squads.

For countries like Kenya, it provides an opportunity to measure progress in domestic football and boost player exports.

While AFCON and CHAN differ in scale, eligibility, and purpose, they both play vital roles in the ecosystem of African football.

AFCON celebrates African excellence at the highest level. CHAN nurtures and reveals it.

For players, CHAN may not offer the same spotlight as AFCON, but it can open the door to that grander stage. And for countries like Kenya, it offers a realistic opportunity to compete, host, and grow in the beautiful game.