U17 AFCON: Algeria opens its doors to welcome Africa again with dazzling opening ceremony, top-notch organization
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- CAF– For the second time in just under three months, Algeria opened its doors to the African continent again, as it hosts the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), shortly after hosting the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).
12 teams are set to battle for the ultimate prize, as well as an opportunity to qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup.
The organization is top notch, from the Houari Boumédiène Airport in Algiers to the different venues in the capital, Annaba and Constantine, understating the readiness of the land of the greats Riyad Mahrez, Ismail Bennacer among others to midwife the birth of Africa’s next crop of world hitters.
Noting that this is the fifth time in its history that Algeria is hosting a Continental event, and the second time it is hosting the U17 showpiece having done so in 2009. They also hosted, and won, the 1990 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the U23 edition in 2013.
The excitement among locals to witness pulsating football is top notch, with locals across all three host cities explaining their excitement ahead of the matches.
Roads are adorned with flags of all the 12 participating nations and signboards are all over the town.
The kick-off of the U17 AFCON was given officially, Saturday evening, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers. The Stadium is well-equipped with modern sports facilities, demonstrating Algeria’s willingness to receive its guests in the best conditions, as called for by the president of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in multiples occasions.
The opening ceremony witnessed a large crowd in a festive atmosphere. Folklore and heritage performances, musical and lyrical pieces, as well as fireworks shows were at the display.
Algeria 🇩🇿 is ready to make it great again 🌍🏆#CANU17 #Algerie #CAF pic.twitter.com/tJAxBCY07K
— La Gazette du Fennec (@LGDFennec) April 28, 2023
Prior to the opening ceremony, CAF and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations Algeria 2023 held a press conference on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
The event was attended by CAF Vice President and Chairman of CAF Youth Football Organizing Committee, Suleiman Waberi, CAF Secretary General, Veron Mosengo-Omba and LOC Chairman, Djamel Merbout. The trio appreciated the efforts made by Algeria to make the competition a success, following a successful otalEnergies African Nations Championship “CHAN” organized last January and February in the same facilities.
In his introductory remarks, CAF Vice President Waberi recalled the values around the sport, which has the power to unify people despite the differences. He expressed the wish that “this qualifying tournament for the FIFA World Cup will once again convey values dear to Africa: those of sharing, respect and fair play.’’
The President of the Local Organizing Committee, Djamel Merbout, on his part, said: “We are proud of the trust that has been placed in us as a host country and we will work to make the event a real success for all participants and football fans in Africa and around the world. We welcome all the teams, and we are confident that this event will be significant for African football.”
Algeria started their 2023 CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 victory over Somalia in their opening Group A match.
Tout est prêt pour la phase de poules #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 🤩
Le groupe le plus difficile est ……. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/GsoqBXWZZT
— CAF – FR (@caf_online_FR) February 1, 2023
