Africa Nations Championship 2025: Fixtures and Standings

Intro

Football fans often mix up CHAN and AFCON. AFCON, the Africa Cup of Nations, features every eligible star regardless of where they play. At the same time, CHAN (African Nations Championship) is reserved only for players active in their home country’s domestic leagues. CHAN is Africa’s stage for homegrown talent.

The 2025 edition, played from 2–30 August 2025 and co‑hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, is the first tri‑nation CHAN and a dress rehearsal for the AFCON 2027 to be held in the same region. It’s also the first time the tournament uses a 19‑team format. This blog dives into fixtures, standings, rising stars, stadiums, and why CHAN matters. We’ll also explore the cultural and economic impact and the youth‑driven vibe around Africa’s domestic league showcase.

1. What is CHAN & Why It’s Different from AFCON

• Local‑League Players Only: CHAN allows only players competing in their nation’s domestic leagues. No Premier League or La Liga stars, just players who train and play week in, week out at home. CAF created the tournament to give home‑based players a platform and promote domestic leagues

• History: The inaugural CHAN was held in Côte d’Ivoire in 2009 with eight teams. DR Congo beat Ghana in the final. The tournament has since expanded, with the 2025 edition hosting 19 teams

• Purpose: CHAN complements AFCON. Where AFCON showcases Africa’s global superstars, CHAN spotlights locally nurtured talent, giving scouts a closer look at players who often graduate to European clubs. Stars such as Ayoub El Kaabi and Jonathan Bolingi used CHAN as a launchpad

  
  

2. Fixtures & Results (Updated Weekly)

The 2025 CHAN group stage ran from 2–17 August 2025. A total of 44 matches were scheduled. Key fixtures included:

Current Group Standings (as of 26 Aug 2025)