The participation of the defending champions, Morocco, in the CHAN 2022 is still uncertain two days before the start of the competition.
Some of the teams competing in the tournament, including Mozambique, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan, have already arrived in Algeria; Libya will do so later today. The tournament will take place from January 13 to February 4.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has been waiting for a response from CAF ever since it threatened to boycott the competition if the national team did not take a direct flight on Royal Air Maroc from Rabat to Constantine, the site of their matches.
Reports continue to come in, and Morocco’s participation is still up in the air because CAF has not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
According to the most recent report, the FRMF has asked its players from the U23 team that would represent the nation in the competition to leave the training camp at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in order to join their clubs, contrary to earlier reports that stated that the Moroccan national team mission would arrive at Constantine International Airport on January 12 on a Turkish Airlines flight, via Istanbul Airport.
“The federation has decided to allow players to join their respective clubs so that they do not remain hostage in an ambiguous situation,” a source from the federation told Moroccan outlet Le360.
VeronMosengo-Omba, the Secretary General of CAF, who had earlier arrived in Algeria, held a press conference during which he praised Algeria’s preparations for the African Cup but avoided commenting on the situation in Morocco.
“The infrastructure in Algeria is of international standards. Algeria is ready to embrace this important event from all sides,” Mosengo said.
