Yesterday, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, took part in the inauguration of the new Nelson-Mandela stadium in Baraki (Algiers), after which he hosted a press conference.
During a press conference held this Thursday, January 12, 2023, at the Nelson-Mandela stadium in Baraki (Algiers), CAF President Patrice Motsepe assured that the 7ᵉ edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2022) which will take place from January 13 to February 4, 2023 in Algeria, “will be the most successful in history”.
Moreover, he did not fail to underline the fact that “our country has world-class facilities, which will contribute to the development of football in Algeria and Africa”. “Algeria and its people have always honored Africa in international competitions, and I am proud to say today that Algerians are great football fans, who I am sure will create an unforgettable atmosphere during CHAN matches »did he declare.
What about Morocco’s participation in CHAN 2022?
Suspicions continue to hang over Morocco’s participation in CHAN 2022, which Algeria is hosting today. During the press conference he hosted yesterday, the CAF president mentioned this point.
Indeed, Patrice Motsepe advocated neutrality, affirming that “Morocco had explained the reasons for its absence and that Algeria had done the same”. “Our only concern remains the development of African football”, he argued.
Thus, the head of CAF explained that “he was not in a position to speak in place of Algeria or Morocco”, recalling, for this purpose, “the national sovereignty of each country that nothing can exceed “. However, he did not fail to point out that “the Confederation had done what was necessary to try to find a solution”.
In addition, Patrice Motsepe assured that “he would take part this evening in the opening ceremony of the African Nations Championship, which will take place at the Nelson-Mandela stadium in Baraki in the Algiers capital”. “Tomorrow, I will certainly be present at the opening ceremony of CHAN because I am the president of CAF”, did he declare.
However, the CAF president also announced “his participation in the draw for the 2022 Club World Cup”, which will be held today in Morocco. Moreover, Motsepe explained that his presence aims “to provide support to participating African clubs”, noting that “he will immediately return to Algeria to attend the opening ceremony of CHAN”.
Motsepe discusses the awarding of CAN 2025
On another aspect, the president of CAF mentioned the file relating to the allocation of the organization of the next African Cup of Nations CAN-2025. To this end, he Patrice Motsepe indicated that “the success of the organization of the CHAN should be an important criterion for the award of the next CAN”.
While assuring that “application files will be treated fairly and transparently”, the first CAF official said that “the Confederation had received five applications for CAN 2025, including a proposal for co-organization (Nigeria- Benin)”, but also that of Algeria.
“We have specific requirements for the organization of this competition and we are happy to have received so many applications. We want the CAN to rotate through the different areas of CAF. That of 2025 will not take place in the same area as that of 2023”, explained Motsepe.
