Algeria will ultimately not participate in the next African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled for February 2025. The decision was ratified on Saturday, September 21 by the federal office, announced the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) in a press release.
“The federal office has taken the decision not to participate in this competition and to redirect efforts and resources towards the young categories, both male and female,” the FAF indicated in a press release punctuating the federal office meeting.
Participate with which team?
For fans, it must be said, that the decision is not surprising at all. The national A’ team, which is participating in this championship reserved, it must be remembered, for local players, has been put on ice, so to speak, since the last edition of the tournament played in Algeria and won by Senegal, in 2022. The position of coach was left vacant after the departure of Madjid Bougherra and no training camp has been scheduled since.
Forming a competitive team in preparation for this tournament, which will be held from February 1 to 28, 2025, will be suicidal for the FAF, which has therefore preferred to opt for this radical decision, some observers say.
Avoiding upheavals in the national championship
For observers, the highest authority of national football was taken by surprise by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which only announced the date and venue of CHAN 2025 last Monday.
For others, the reasons for this decision lie elsewhere. If the FAF decided to skip this match, it is to avoid possible disruptions to the national championship, they argue. The CHAN will be spread for one month, something that will disrupt the competition calendar at the local level, it is explained.
Algeria and CHAN 2025: Forfeit or boycott?
Moreover, some believe that this decision sounds like a boycott rather than a forfeit. They see in this measure ratified by Walid Sadi’s body a response to Patrice Motsepe’s CAF following its award of the next edition of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAN) to Morocco.
In any case, the 8th edition of CHAN 2025, which will be jointly organized by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, as announced by the African football governing body last Monday, will be played without Algeria. That is a certainty.
