CHAN 2023: how the Algerian edition breathed new life into the competition
From left to right: Pape Sy, best goalkeeper, Houssem Mrezigue, best player of the tournament, Moutarou Baldé with the fair play award, and Aimen Mahious, CHAN's top scorer.
REUTERS - RAMZI BOUDINA
Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
4 mins
While many observers wondered, a month ago, about the future of CHAN, the Algerian edition came to bring its share of answers.
At the time of the balance sheet, there is a little optimism about the future of the competition after a successful organization and a tournament that delighted most observers.
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Doubts about the future of CHAN, which escorted the competition, slowly dissipated as the matches unfolded.
Until there was no longer a debate when the lights went out on Saturday February 4 at the Nelson-Mandela Stadium in Baraki after the final won by Senegal against Algeria (0-0; tab 5-4).
A revived competition
This Algerian edition had the merit of giving back tonus to a competition which was in decline, so much so that neither the place nor the date of the next CHAN had been chosen.
After three weeks of a tournament, doubt is no longer allowed.
There will be a next improved edition of the CHAN.
"
We want CHAN to develop and be a competition with international standards
," insisted the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe.
So we have to support that with a financial contribution.
Actors must be rewarded for their efforts.
It is also a way of contributing to the development of local football
”.
The rules should also evolve to raise the level of competition.
Today, only players playing in their local league can be selected by their country to play in the tournament.
“
A player who plays in a foreign club, as long as it is in Africa, should be able to represent his country at CHAN.
We will study this in the Executive Committee
”, promises Patrice Motsepe.
The Algerian public was present during this CHAN 2023. © Pierre René-Worms
A successful organization
“
I say with confidence that CHAN in Algeria is the best ever
[…]
.
The quality of football, facilities, stadiums, pitches, referees, VAR, hotels, transport
.
“Even if we do not completely agree with the enthusiastic and diplomatic remarks of the president of CAF, we must recognize that the Algerian organization can truly be described as a success.
Algeria, whose last organized football tournament dated back to 1990 (CAN) pulled out all the stops for this CHAN at almost all levels: two new stadiums, good logistics, people in the stands, a warm welcome from the teams and supporters.
CANs have been much less successful and if the secret wish of the Algerians is to score points with a view to the upcoming awarding of CAN 2025, their objective is not far from being achieved.
Nice surprises, big disappointments
The success of the organization does not hide the average level of the teams during the competition.
The enthusiasm for the tournament was aroused a lot first by Algeria, carried by a whole people.
Then by Senegal, driven by a dynamic since the coronation of Lions A a year ago.
Then, the nice surprises embodied by Madagascar and Niger brought a breath of fresh air to this CHAN.
The first impressed with his game, his enthusiasm and his nerve for his very first participation.
The second managed the feat of climbing for the first time in the last four thanks to a solidity and a realism which brought down Cameroon and Ghana (2-0) but which exploded against Algeria in the semi -final (0-5).
🇲🇬 An extraordinary welcome for Malagasy players after winning their historic bronze medal #TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 🥉 pic.twitter.com/3AtId4eNCI
— MARHABA (@caf_online_FR) February 5, 2023
On the disappointing side, in addition to the absence by default of the double defending champion, Morocco, the fall of the Democratic Republic of Congo is the most striking of this CHAN.
The Congolese, twice winners of the tournament (2009, 2016), were eliminated for the first time in their history in the first round.
Cameroon, fourth in 2021, and having a globalist in its workforce (Jérôme Ngom Mbekeli), did not hold its rank.
Just like Mali, twice finalist (2016, 2021), released in the first round.
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CHAN 2023
Algeria
Soccer