Latest editorial
Morocco fans during the Fifa World Cup Semi-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar
THE 2022 African Nations Championship (Chan) kicked off last night when hosts Algeria faced Libya at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
This tournament differs from the more well-known Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), and indeed from other international tournaments, in that each nation is limited to picking players from its domestic league only.
This can lead to a different dynamic from the one seen at Afcon where many of the players are based in Europe and already playing at a high level.
Successful nations in Chan (the abbreviation comes from the French, Championnat d’Afrique des Nations) are naturally those with strong club teams at domestic level, and the winners often reflect the performance of club teams in the CAF Champions League.
Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON
