CHAN 2023: Infantino arrives Algeria ahead of opening ceremony

The president of the globe’s ruling football body FIFA, Gianni Infantino has arrived in Algeria ahead of the opener of the 2023 African Nations Football championship (CHAN) that will pit host Algeria against Libya at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Algiers this Friday.

The CHAN, Africa’s second-largest nation’s premier competition, is only open to athletes competing in domestic championships.

FIFA’s supremo Gianni Infantino expressed delight after arriving in the North African nation.

“I’m very happy to be in Algiers where I will take part in the inauguration of the Nelson Mandela stadium,” Infantino said.

“I will also be meeting with Algeria’s president, the Algerian football community as well as stakeholders of African football.”

“I’m also here for the CHAN which begins on Friday. It is a very important moment for African football” Fifa’s president mentioned.

Following the rise from 16 to 18, the 2023 CHAN in Algeria will be the first competition when 18 teams will compete for continental recognition.

The CHAN, now in its seventh iteration, was most recently won by Morocco in Cameroon in 2021.