Previous CHAN hosts, Champions

By Peter Ochieng

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are expected to host the 2025 edition of the African Nations Championship, famously known as CHAN.

Last week, Confederations of African Football (CAF) President Dr. Patrice Motsepe visited the three countries for the second time within three months, to assess preparations and measures being put in place.

In Kenya, Motsepe expressed his satisfaction with the advancements, indicating his confidence in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania hosting a successful CHAN tournament in February, 2025, which will be the 8th edition.

CHAN only features players plying their trade in Africa, with DR Congo and Morocco being the most successful teams in the tournament with two titles apiece, followed by Tunisia, Libya and incumbent champions Senegal with one title each.

The tournament began in 2009 with 8 teams, which was doubled for the 2nd edition up until the 6th edition, and is currently contested by 18 teams since the 2022 edition. We take a look at previous hosts, and champions:

1. 2009

The first edition was hosted by Ivory Coast, in West Africa.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ended up becoming the inaugural champions, courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Ghana in the final.

Zambia finished third, after beating Senegal 2-1 in the third playoff match.

2. 2011

Sudan became the next host in 2011. Tunisia thrashed Angola 3-0 to win the title as hosts Sudan defeated Algeria 1-0 in the third playoff match, to walk home with a bronze medal.

3. 2014

South Africa became the third hosts. Libya beat Ghana 4-3 via post-match penalties to win the title, condemning the Black Stars to the second loss in the final after the 2009 disappointment.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 to finish third.

4. 2016

Rwanda became the first East African nation to host the tournament in 2016. DRC won the second title, courtesy of a 3-0 commanding win over Mali in the final.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast beat Guinea 2-1 in the third playoff fixture.

5. 2018

Morocco became the first nation to host and win the CHAN championship title, after Ivory Coast, Sudan, South Africa and Rwanda had failed to deliver on home soil.

Buoyed by the home support, the North Africans thrashed Nigeria 4-0 in the final to register a record score in the CHAN final to date. Sudan finished third after beating 2014 champions Libya 4-2 via post-match penalties, in the third playoff game.

6. 2020

The tournament was back to West Africa, with Cameroon as hosts. Morocco became the first team to successfully defend the CHAN title, beating Mali 2-0 in the final.

Mali lost the second final, after the 2016 edition in Rwanda to equal Ghana’s unwarranted record. Hosts Cameroon finished 4th, after going down 0-2 against Guinea in the third playoff match.

7. 2022       

Senegal won the first title in Algeria, defeating the hosts 5-4 via post-match penalties after a barren draw. Madagascar beat Niger 1-0 to win bronze.