event is often framed as a catalyst for economic development and a tool for " soft power " diplomacy. While megaevents like the Olympics or the World Cup can bring immense prestige, they also carry colossal financial risks and the potential for white-elephant infrastructure. CHAN presents a more sustainable and strategic model for nation-building.
The infrastructure requirements for CHAN are significant but manageable. It necessitates the upgrading of stadiums, training facilities, transport links, and hospitality services, but on a scale that directly serves the needs of the domestic league long after the final whistle. This creates a tangible legacy, providing local clubs and communities with quality facilities that were previously lacking. A new stadium built for a World Cup might be used a dozen times a year; a stadium upgraded for CHAN will become the vibrant heart of a local club for decades.
Beyond the physical infrastructure, hosting CHAN is a powerful nationbranding exercise. It allows a country to project an image of competence, security, and hospitality to a continental audience. It’ s an opportunity to drive tourism, foster regional integration, and, most importantly, galvanize a sense of national unity and pride. In a continent with diverse ethnic and social tapestries, the unifying power of a national team composed entirely of local players can be a potent force for social cohesion.
We all saw the fan rivalries especially online of Kenya and Tanzania while both countries were on the verge of elimination.
Case Scenario 2: Rwanda ' s 2016 |
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When Rwanda hosted CHAN in 2016, it was more than a football tournament; it was a strategic exercise in public relations and a showcase of the nation ' s remarkable recovery and progress. The government invested heavily in upgrading facilities, including the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali and regional stadiums in Huye and Rubavu. The event was flawlessly organized, with efficient logistics, a welcoming atmosphere, and a strong security presence that defied outdated perceptions of the country.
The legacy was multi-faceted. The upgraded stadiums became premier venues for the Rwanda Premier League, boosting the quality of the local game. The tournament successfully projected an image of a modern, organized, and safe nation, boosting its MICE( Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism credentials. Most profoundly, it fostered immense national pride. The Amavubi( The Wasps) reaching the quarter-finals, backed by passionate, packed stadiums, was a unifying spectacle. For Rwanda, CHAN was a strategic investment that paid dividends in infrastructure, international perception, and national identity.
For Football Stakeholders: The Ultimate Litmus Test
For football federations and clubs, CHAN is the ultimate accountability tool. The performance of a national team at CHAN is a direct reflection of the health and competitiveness of its domestic league. Consistent failure at the tournament is a clear signal that the underlying structures of local football- from youth development to coaching standards and club administration- are failing.
The tournament provides an invaluable platform to showcase domestic talent. For players, it’ s a window to lucrative moves abroad. For clubs, it’ s an opportunity to increase the market value of their assets. A player who excels at CHAN can command a significantly higher transfer fee, providing a crucial injection of capital that can be reinvested into the club ' s infrastructure and youth programs. This creates a virtuous cycle: a strong performance at CHAN leads to player sales, which funds club development, which in turn produces better players for future tournaments.
Federations should view CHAN not as a standalone event, but as the pinnacle of a long-term development strategy. Success requires a deliberate focus on strengthening the domestic league, improving coaching education, and creating clear pathways for young talent to progress from academies to senior club football.
Case Scenario 3: Morocco ' s Domestic Dominance and Strategic Vision
Morocco ' s back-to-back CHAN victories in 2018( on home soil) and 2020 are no accident. They are the result of a deliberate, long-term strategy by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation( FRMF) to professionalize the domestic Botola Pro league. The FRMF invested heavily in club infrastructure, implemented stringent club licensing requirements, and poured resources into coaching education and youth development at the national Mohammed VI Football Academy.
Their CHAN success was the fruit of this labor. The victorious squads were dominated by players from powerhouse clubs like Raja Casablanca, Wydad Casablanca, and RS Berkane- clubs that also consistently perform well in CAF ' s continental club competitions. By winning CHAN, Morocco asserted its continental dominance and also validated its domestic strategy. It proved that investing in local leagues creates a sustainable pipeline of talent capable of competing and winning at the highest level. This success has increased the commercial value of the Botola Pro, attracted more broadcast revenue, and provided a clear model for other African federations to follow.
The Final Whistle
The African Nations Championship is far more than a secondary football tournament. It is a dynamic ecosystem, a living laboratory for sport development and marketing in emerging economies. The lessons are clear: for corporations, it teaches the value of authentic, grassroots connection over generic global sponsorship. For governments, it demonstrates a model for sustainable infrastructure legacy and potent nation-branding. And for football administrators, it is the ultimate measure of their commitment to building a strong foundation for the beautiful game.
For corporates, public sector leaders, and football stakeholders, CHAN is more than a tournament. It is a case study in how sport, when localized and structured deliberately, becomes a lever for transformation. In a world searching for authenticity and purpose-driven engagement, CHAN delivers in spades. Those who continue to overlook it are leaving one of the best plays on the field, untouched.
Richard Wanjohi works at the @ iLab Africa Research and Innovation Centre / Strathmore University. You can commune with him vial mail at: RWanjohi @ gmail. com or on X @ rwanjohi.