In a statement, the African body cited unreadiness from the host nations - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania - for the abrupt postponement. Meanwhile, the draw scheduled for Wednesday, January 15th, will proceed as planned.
In the statement, CAF announced: "The Confederation African Football (CAF) has announced the postponement of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to August 2025.
"Good progress has been made in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with the construction and upgrading of stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities for the hosting of a successful tournament."
The statement continued: "However, the CAF Technical and Infrastructure experts some of whom have been based in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, have advised CAF that more time is required to ensure that the infrastructure and facilities are at the levels, necessary for hosting a successful tournament."
Motsepe thanks heads of state for progress
In another rejoinder, CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised the commitment of the three nations - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania - and the progress they had made in building and upgrading stadiums.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for their leadership, commitment and the good progress that has been made in building and upgrading the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for hosting the tournament," said Motsepe.
"I am impressed with the ongoing construction and renovations of the football infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda."
Motsepe further maintained that the progress being made by the three nations will meet the required standards set by the African body by August when the tournament will now be staged.
"I am confident that the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities will be at the requisite CAF standards for hosting, in August 2025, a very successful tournament.”
CHAN draw to go on as scheduled
Meanwhile, the draw for the eighth edition of the tournament will proceed as planned on Wednesday, January 15th in Nairobi, Kenya.
"CAF will be conducting the draw in Nairobi, on Wednesday 15 January 2025 at 20:00 Nairobi time," said the statement.
The statement added: "The exact date for the August 2025 tournament in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda 2024 will be announced by CAF in due course."
Meanwhile, the Kenyan government issued a statement confirming their readiness for the draw set for Wednesday.
Sports Principal Secretary Engineer Peter Tum stated that all security protocols had been observed, and entry to the venue would strictly be by invitation.
“We are prepared to host the draw tomorrow (Wednesday). We have looked at three key areas specifically: event management, and we will conduct a dry run to ensure that everything is in order before tomorrow (Wednesday),” Tum said.
Expected to attend the draw are Tanzania's Minister for Sports, Damas Ndumbaro, and his counterpart from Uganda, Peter Ogwang. Kenya's President, His Excellency William Samoei Ruto, and Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr. Patrice Motsepe will be the chief guests at the historic event.
The draw is expected to take place at the KICC Tsavo Ballroom from 20:00 EAT and will be broadcast globally.
The statement continued: "Those wishing to attend the draw have been asked to seek accreditation for venue access."
Meanwhile, CAF Head of Safety and Security, Christian Emeruwa, emphasised the importance of adhering to all security measures to avoid any last-minute issues.
“If you don’t have invitations, you are not allowed to come to KICC. This is very important to ensure we don’t encounter problems at the gate,” Emeruwa said.
The CHAN 2024 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has been working around the clock to ensure that everything is in place for the draw.
LOC Chairman Nicholas Musonye highlighted the significance of this year's championship to Kenya and the region.
“CHAN is good for the country (Kenya) and the region. I ask every Kenyan to support this event as we aim to make history next month,” Musonye said.
Musonye urged all stakeholders to embrace the event and make it as vibrant as possible. Wednesday’s draw will feature three East African football legends: McDonald Mariga (Kenya), Mrisho Ngassa (Tanzania), and Hassan Wasswa (Uganda).
A total of 19 teams have confirmed their participation in this year's edition, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda (co-hosts), Senegal (defending champions), Morocco (two-time winners), Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Congo Republic, Nigeria, Sudan, Madagascar, Zambia, and Angola.
