By Victor Kanayo
At last, the 2022 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) kicked off amidst controversy at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Algiers with the host narrowly edging Libya 1-0 in the opening encounter.
The first half was anything but spectacular after the Algerian players encountered hard time creating chances with a lot of waste in the game.
The two teams returned to the locker room while the game stood at goalless.
In the second half, Algeria had to rely on a Libyan defensive error to see striker Aimen Mahious open the scoring.
Meanwhile, absentee defending Champions Morocco have accused Algeria of using the opening ceremony of the continental showpiece as a political platform to smear their neighbours and challenge its territorial integrity.
Already, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has released a statement denouncing Algeria’s smearing of Morocco during the opening ceremony of CHAN.
In the opening ceremony of the continental tournament, the Algerian regime reportedly invited Nelson Mandela’s Grandson Zwelivelile Mandela, who delivered an anti-Morocco political speech attacking the country’s territorial integrity.
In addition to the alleged politicisation of the CHAN’s launching ceremony, Algerian fans in the stadium were filmed chanting offensive slogans comparing Moroccans to animals.
Morocco is not taking part in the tournament as the Algerian government rejected the country’s request for its team to fly directly to Constantine, the Algerian city where its games were scheduled to be played.
Morocco’s Football Federation described the behavior of Algerian fans and the opening ceremony as “vile practices,” “absurd maneuvers,” and a “flagrant violation of the laws governing football events.”
The federation also condemned the “racist” chants directed at the Moroccan fans, noting it is considering filing a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
