The domestic-based national team of Morocco has sent its players back to their clubs for the time being after travel plans to 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) host country Algeria did not come to fruition on Tuesday. Members of the Atlas Cubs have been training in preparation for the competition at the Mohammed VI Football Complex but were sent back to their clubs by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and told to remain on standby in case the situation changes. Algerian authorities still have yet to respond to the FRMF’s requests submitted through the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a direct flight to Constantine, Algeria where Morocco are scheduled to take part in Group C with Ghana, Sudan and Madagascar.
In a situation impacted by political issues between the two North African countries, planes from Moroccan national airline Royal Air Maroc are banned from flying in Algerian airspace which is creating major travel complications for the Moroccan team. Media reports earlier in the week indicated the issue might have been resolved with Moroccan journalists reporting the Atlas Cubs would be on their way to Algeria but a source within the FRMF revealed the latest to Le 360° Sport, stating that there is still no response from the CHAN organizers after pledging to have an answer to the FRMF’s requests by the end of December.
The 2022 CHAN will kick off on Friday with hosts Algeria facing Libya in the opening match. Morocco’s Group C opener is scheduled for Sunday, January 15, making it appear more and more unlikely that the defending champions will be unable to defend their crown due to the circumstances.
