The African Nations Championship defending Champions Morocco, have withdrawn from CHAN 2022 after being denied a direct flight from the host Country Algeria. In a communique, they said given the fact that Algeria will not give the opportunity to fly directly from Rabat to Constantine, they won’t participate in the tournament.
“While the trip to the Moroccan selection from Rabat to Constantine is organized by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the kick off of the CHAN is scheduled for January 13th 2023, meaning in 24 hours, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation notes with regret that obtaining a final authorization of the Royal Air Maroc flight from Rabat to Constantine has unfortunately not been confirmed by CAF.”FRMF noted.
Note however that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation earlier on December 22 notified CAF that Morocco will not participate in the tournament if Algeria refuses to allow the Moroccan delegation to fly directly from Rabat to Constantine.
Tension Between Both Countries.
According to news sources, since 1994 both countries had decided to close their borders to each other. In 2021, Algeria then decided to cut all diplomatic ties with Morocco. This decision equally meant that Algeria has closed its airspace to all Moroccan planes.
What To Know About CHAN 2022.
The CHAN 2022 in its seventh edition will begin on the 13th and end on the 4th of February, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.18 countries will take part in this edition, hosted by Algeria for the first time since 1990.18 coaches will participate in the tournament, while 52 referees including 19 Center referees as well as 21 assistance and 12 video assistant referees have been appointed for the tournament. The opening game will be played between Algeria and Libya on January 13th at 19:00 GMT at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki.
11 teams have however reached the semifinals of the CHAN in the past 6 editions, according to CAF.
DR Congo (2009 and 2016) and Morocco (2018 and 2020) have each won it twice while Libya lifted the trophy in 2014. Mali (2016 and 2020) and Ghana (2009 and 2014) have reached the final twice while Angola lost 3-0 to Tunisia in the 2011 final in Sudan. Cote d’Ivoire (2016) and Sudan (2011 and 2018) finished third. Hosts Algeria (2011), Senegal (2009) and Cameroon (2020) finished fourth.