Nairóbi, the capital of Kenya – in my memory not because I was there but for the “La Casa de Papel” series (a character had this nickname) – will host a football final on Saturday (30).
At the Moi International Sports Center stadium, called the “House of Heroes”, Morocco and Madagascar will duel to decide who will be the champion of the African Nations Championship, better known as Chan.
Is it the Copa America there? It’s one of the. There are two: Chan and Can (African Cup of Nations). The latter is the equivalent of the Copa America here, won by Brazil for the last time in 2019.
If CAN already exists (whose first of the 34 editions took place in 1957), why the African Football Confederation has organized, since 2009, Biennial Chan? What is the difference from one tournament to another?
The primordial refers to the workpace that can participate. At Can, any player. In Chan, no: it is restrictive.
To facilitate understanding, I will use Egypt as an example. At CAN, every player with Egyptian nationality is able to play. In Chan, only the Egyptians active in Egypt. The best known – the only known – Pharaoh’s footballer, Mohamed Salah, defends English Liverpool. It is therefore vetoed in Chan.
With this rule, which serves for all African countries, the local confederation aims to give visibility to the football of those who are, day by day, battling a place in the Sun – in the figurative sense, because in the real all in Africa have it – within the borders themselves, not those who already have life done or well referred.
Like Brazilians, thousands of African players aim for Europe: better infrastructure, better fields, better wages. It is to exchange the “in development” for the “developed”. Easy ambition to be understood and difficult to realize.
Lasting nearly a month, Chan offers an extra showcase so that household talents – Africa has abundant – can be observed by scouts from the wealthy clubs of the old continent, whether in stadiums or in TV or internet broadcasts.
Malinense midfielder Yves Bissouma, 28, stood out at Chan 2016. He moved to France (Lille) and then to England (Brighton, first, and Tottenham today). It is one among some who, via this alternative Africa Cup, catapulted their career.
The idea is interesting and could be replicated by Conmebol, which governs football in South America.
Is the calendar tight? Yes, but I believe clubs, players, national federations, sponsors and media (TV, radio, streaming) would be interested, for different reasons.
All in hit, and with money, the organization flows, dates are provided. It could be in January/February, every two years, with a rotation of headquarters. My guess is that there would be good audience.
In Carlo Ancelotti’s summons for the Brazilian team, this week, only 4 of 25 operate in Brazil. There are those who find little, who can form a competitive team with only athletes from here.
Hugo Souza; Vitinho, Fabrício Bruno, Leo Ortiz and Guilherme Arana; Marlon Freitas and Jorginho; Alan Patrick and Matheus Pereira; Kaio Jorge and Pedro. A respectable 11 and “100% national”.
To play this Brazil? Only with a “Copa America Chan”.
Gift Link: Did you like this text? Subscriber can release seven free hits from any link per day. Just click on F Blue below.
