Mahious Penalty Gives Hosts Algeria Victory in CHAN Opener

Fans take their seats ahead of a friendly football match between Algeria and Ghana, at the newly-opened Nelson Mandela Stadium in the Baraki suburb of the Algerian capital Algiers on January 7, 2023. (Photo by Ryad KRAMDI / AFP)
Fans take their seats ahead of a friendly football match between Algeria and Ghana, at the newly-opened Nelson Mandela Stadium in the Baraki suburb of the Algerian capital Algiers on January 7, 2023. (Photo by Ryad KRAMDI / AFP)
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Mahious Penalty Gives Hosts Algeria Victory in CHAN Opener

Fans take their seats ahead of a friendly football match between Algeria and Ghana, at the newly-opened Nelson Mandela Stadium in the Baraki suburb of the Algerian capital Algiers on January 7, 2023. (Photo by Ryad KRAMDI / AFP)
Fans take their seats ahead of a friendly football match between Algeria and Ghana, at the newly-opened Nelson Mandela Stadium in the Baraki suburb of the Algerian capital Algiers on January 7, 2023. (Photo by Ryad KRAMDI / AFP)

Hosts and title favorites Algeria edged Libya 1-0 on Friday in the opening match of the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) thanks to a second-half penalty converted by Aymen Mahious.

The lone forward in the starting line-up netted on 57 minutes in Algiers after a weak back pass led to him being fouled by goalkeeper Muad Allafi, AFP reported.

Algeria hope to win a competition reserved for footballers playing in their country of birth for the first time having finished fourth in a previous appearance 12 years ago.

The capacity 40,000 crowd at Stade Nelson Mandela included the Algerian Prime Minister, Aymen Benabderrahmane, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and his CAF counterpart, Patrice Motsepe.

Ethiopia play Mozambique at the same venue on Saturday in the other opening round match in the mini-league.

It will be followed by a Group B double-header in the north eastern city of Annaba with two-time champions the Democratic Republic of Congo facing Uganda before the Ivory Coast meet Senegal.

There are 17 countries hoping to succeed Morocco as winners of a tournament first staged in 2009 and won by DR Congo in the Ivory Coast.

Morocco withdrew at the last minute after Algeria refused to authorize a direct flight that would have taken the delegation from Rabat to Constantine, the Group C base.



FIFA Announces Details to Apply for World Cup Tickets

 13 July 2025, US, East Rutherford: US President Donald Trump (R) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the trophy during the award ceremony following the FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium. (dpa)
13 July 2025, US, East Rutherford: US President Donald Trump (R) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the trophy during the award ceremony following the FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium. (dpa)
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FIFA Announces Details to Apply for World Cup Tickets

 13 July 2025, US, East Rutherford: US President Donald Trump (R) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the trophy during the award ceremony following the FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium. (dpa)
13 July 2025, US, East Rutherford: US President Donald Trump (R) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the trophy during the award ceremony following the FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium. (dpa)

Applications for tickets for the 2026 World Cup open Sept. 10, FIFA said Tuesday.

The next edition of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, kicks off at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11.

Soccer's world governing body FIFA said that due to anticipated high demand tickets would be released in phases.

It did not say if it would use dynamic pricing, as was the case for the Club World Cup, which saw ticket prices fluctuate wildly.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming the world back to North America, as Canada, Mexico and the United States host what will be the biggest and greatest sporting event ever," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement. "We encourage fans everywhere to get ready to secure their place — these will be the most coveted seats in world sport."