CHAN 2023: Algeria’s top officials gather in Algiers to mark the occasion with a special celebration

To mark the 30 days countdown to the kick-off of TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Algeria 2022, the Algerian government together with the Local Organising Committee marked the occasion with a special celebration event.  

The CHAN will kick-off on 13 January 2023 with the first match played at Baraki Stadium with the hosts Algeria facing 2014 Champions Libya in Algiers.  

Algeria Minister of Sports and Youth, Mr Abderrazak SEBGAG joined by Djahid ZEFIZEF, President of the Algerian Football Association (FAF), members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) led by its President, Rachid OUKALI, Mr Abderrazak HAMMAD, President of the Algerian Olympic Committee, the Premiers of the four host cities, the Sports Executives of the four host cities and representatives of the ministries all attended the countdown.  

Venues for CHAN:  

Baraki Stadium, Algiers (40,000 seats) 

The awe-striking and newly built Baraki Stadium stands tall as a beautiful feature in the capital town, Algiers.   It will host the opening match and the final of the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).  Built-in the eastern suburbs of Algiers, the new stadium embodies the modernity of the new Algerian stadiums just as Douera or Tizi Ouzou.   

19 May 1956 Stadium, Annaba (56,000 seats) 

The 19 May-1956 Stadium in Annaba is one of the largest stadiums in Algeria in terms of capacity.  It opened its doors on 10 July 1987.  The venue has been renovated in preparation for the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).  Home to USM Annaba Football Club, the 19 May 1956 Stadium was inaugurated on a qualifier for the 1988 Summer Olympics between Algeria and Sudan (3-1).   The first-ever goal was scored by the Sudanese player Kamel Mohamed in the 12th minute.    

Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran (40,000 seats) 

With a capacity of 40,000 seats, the newly built Miloud Hadefi Olympic Stadium of Oran was inaugurated in June 2023 by the Algerian President His Excellency Abdelmadjid Tebboun ahead of the Mediterranean Games and has since hosted.   It forms part of the Olympic complex in Oran and has already hosted two international matches: Guinea and Nigeria.    

Nicknamed “Japoma” because of its design similar to the Douala stadium, the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran is a real architectural jewel and will be one of the attractions of the next TotalEnergies CHAN Algeria 2022.    

Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine (22,000 seats)    

Located 500km east of Algiers, the Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine is getting a makeover in preparation for the next CHAN TotalEnergies Algeria 2022.   The 22,000-capacity stadium, home of eastern club CS Constantine, first opened its doors on 05 July 1973. The first match in this stadium was played on Wednesday 3 April 1974, during the final of the military championship.    

On 17 November 1978, the Chahid-Hamlaoui stadium hosted the first friendly match of the Algerian national team, against their counterpart from Congo (3-0).    

Ahead of the TotalEnergies CHAN Algeria 2022, the stadium has been equipped with a new natural grass pitch and a giant screen. It has also benefited from the restoration of the stands, the reinforcement of the roof, the construction of new entrances and walkways, as well as the equipping of the gates with electronic ticketing equipment.

CAF MEDIA