The Confederation of African Football (CAF) may reconsider its decision to abolish the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition reserved for players competing in domestic African leagues.
The possibility of a reversal was raised by Claude Le Roy, who said CAF president Patrice Motsepe was considering reopening the debate. Speaking on RMC’s After Foot, the Congo-Brazzaville manager said he had discussed the tournament’s future directly with Motsepe.
“There is going to be a discussion about bringing it back because it is currently the only research laboratory for what we might call Africa’s second-tier countries,” Le Roy said.
“It allows them to go into provinces and villages to find local talent. Its removal was a catastrophe.”
CAF confirmed the CHAN’s abolition in January, reportedly on the grounds that the competition was not financially viable. Le Roy, who has previously managed Senegal, Cameroon and RD Congo, criticised that reasoning.
“Supposedly because it did not make money. As if everything always has to make money,” he said.
“I think CAF, and I am very happy about this, is going to reconsider those decisions.”
Le Roy also backed a possible redesign of the tournament, including an age limit of 25, to place greater emphasis on player development and the emergence of young talent.
He said his conversation with Motsepe had helped prompt further consideration of the decision.
“After I intervened, President Motsepe said there was a genuine review to be undertaken and that he would follow what we, the coaches, wanted,” Le Roy claimed.
However, opposition to the CHAN’s removal began well before Le Roy’s intervention. On 16 January, even before the abolition was formally announced, former CAF vice-president Constant Omari warned The Guardian about the damage the change could cause to the development of African football.
On 20 January, journalists Lance Koivogui and Mamadou Bah criticised the decision in Guinea, describing the CHAN as an important showcase for domestic-based players. Days later, journalists in Gabon also expressed concern that CAF was sacrificing talent identification for commercial considerations.
Serigne Saliou Dia, head coach of Senegal’s local national team, strongly criticised the decision in February, calling it a “fatal blow” for domestic football.
Le Roy has therefore repeated arguments that have been made for months by coaches, officials, journalists and other observers across Africa. His experience and access to key decision-makers may have enabled him to put those concerns directly to Motsepe, who was already likely to have been aware of the criticism.
If CAF does restore the CHAN, the outcome would reflect a wider campaign by those who opposed the removal of one of the few competitions dedicated to showcasing local talent.
The key question is whether the reported discussions will lead to action. Having abolished the CHAN on financial grounds, CAF must now decide whether to recognise its sporting value and its role in developing African football.