The president of world football governing body FIFA, Gianni Infantino has arrived in Algeria ahead of the opener of the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) that will pit host Algeria against Libya at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Algiers this Friday.

The CHAN, Africa’s second national flagship tournament, reserved solely for players plying their trade in their domestic championships.

FIFA’s supremo Gianni Infantino expressed delight after arriving in the North African nation.

“I’m very happy to be in Algiers where I will take part in the inauguration of the Nelson Mandela Stadium,” Infantino said.

“I will also be meeting with Algeria’s president, the Algerian football community as well as stakeholders of African football.”

“I’m also here for the CHAN which begins on Friday. It is a very important moment for African football” Fifa’s president mentioned.

The 2022 CHAN in Algeria will be the first event that will see 18 teams rival for continental recognition after the number of participants was increased from 16 to 18.

The CHAN, which is in its seventh edition, was last won by Morocco in 2021 in Cameroon