CHAN 2022: four coaches to watch

Pape Thiaw, a golden opportunity

Twelve years after their last appearance at the CHAN 2022, Senegal's home-based Lions are back at the competition for players who play in their domestic league. After so many years without qualifying, Senegal's A' side and their coach, Pape Thiaw, will be closely watched in Algeria.

Thiaw replaced Joseph Koto (the team's former coach, who died in October 2021) and has been in the job since last April. Before his appointment, the former FC Metz striker was his predecessor's assistant, so he has settled quickly into the role of head coach.

Senegal, who have been in camp for several weeks, wrapped up their CHAN 2022 preparations in Tunisia with a win over Congo (I-0). Thiaw drew a fairly positive assessment from it. He also hopes to make Senegal the first nation to win the AFCON-CHAN double.

The Lions begin their CHAN campaign on Saturday 14 February at the 19-Mai 1956 Stadium against Ivory Coast, before facing Uganda and DR Congo.

Madjid Bougherra, time for revenge

Algeria coach Madjid Bougherra will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched coaches at the CHAN, which is being staged on his home soil in Algeria. In charge of Algeria's A' side since 2020, Bougherra surely knows the formula, having won the Cup a little over a year ago with his Fennecs.

The former player therefore has no margin for error in this competition, especially as Algeria will be out for revenge at this tournament after a rather disastrous 2022. The Fennecs were knocked out of the AFCON 2021 in the first round, and on top of that they failed to qualify for the last World Cup.

This CHAN 2022 will therefore be a chance for Bougherra's men to relaunch Algerian football. This Friday, Algeria play the opening match against Libya at the Baraki stadium, kicking off at 20:00 GMT.

Ngoma Kondi Otis, a third title demanded

With two titles to their name (2009 and 2016), DR Congo go into the seventh edition of the CHAN intent on winning a third trophy. The coach of the Leopards A' side, Ngoma Kondi Otis, appointed last April, carries the heavy responsibility of putting DR Congo back on top of Africa.

The Congolese are in a very tough Group B, along with Ivory Coast, Senegal and Uganda. But with a new technical staff put in place by Ngoma, the home-based Leopards will probably have a say in this tournament. Their first objective will be to make sure they get out of the group. They play their first match next Saturday, against Uganda at the 19-Mai 1956 Stadium.

Houcine Ammouta, an uncertain participation

With the Moroccan national team having been brilliant at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, A' side coach Houcine Ammouta probably carries a heavy responsibility on his shoulders: not to spoil the historic achievement of the Moroccans, who secured the top African place in the latest FIFA rankings.

But despite their status as two-time defending champions, Ammouta's men could be unsettled by problems with their travel arrangements. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) is demanding a direct flight, with no stopover in a third country, for CHAN 2022 participation, in order to ease the Moroccan squad's journey. Unfortunately, the tournament organisers have still not given an answer on the matter.

The FRMF has also allowed the U23 team's players to return to their respective clubs while they were in a training camp at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. This could perhaps signal Morocco's withdrawal from the CHAN, along with their coach.