• We look back at the 2020 CHAN just won by Morocco
• Mali finished runners-up and Guinea third
• Tournament reserved for African-based players

Triumphant on home soil in 2018, Morocco secured back-to-back titles at the CAF African Nations Championship, a tournament reserved for African-based players.

In the final on 7 February, the Atlas Lions beat Mali (2-0), while Guinea completed the podium at the tournament’s sixth edition with their 2-0 win over hosts Cameroon. We pick out some of the key takeaways from the tournament.

The champions

The first country ever to retain the title, Morocco put on a near flawless display, the only slight blemish being a 0-0 draw with Rwanda on the second matchday of the group stage. And while their total of just three goals conceded was impressive, it was going forward that they really set themselves apart.

Leading the way was tournament top scorer and best player Soufiane Rahimi, who accounted for five of his side’s 15 goals. The Raja Casablanca winger did not get on the scoresheet in the final, however, leaving the spotlight to goalkeeper Anas Zniti, whose impressive display earned him the man of the match award.

The runners-up

In contrast to Morocco, Mali’s run to the final owed more to their defensive solidity. Despite only scoring three times in six games, they still managed to reach the decider, winning their respective quarter-final and semi-final against Congo and Guinea from the penalty spot, following two scoreless draws. Having expended considerable energy in getting there, the Eagles could not withstand Morocco’s formidable attack in the final.

The stat

2 – In winning their second CHAN title, Morocco joined Congo DR as the tournament’s most successful side. Mali, meanwhile, finished runners-up for the second time after missing out in 2016 to Congo DR.

Did you know?

One set of lions crowned… another tamed: While Cameroon had a successful tournament in terms of hosting, the same cannot be said of its on-field performance. Roundly beaten in the semi-finals (4-0) by the eventual champions, the Indomitable Lions were still hoping for a podium finish for the first time at this event. However, Guinea had not read the script and duly took bronze for their own maiden CHAN medal.

El Kaabi comes good: Ayoub El Kaabi, the nine-goal leading-scorer at the previous edition, was widely tipped to be the Atlas Lions’ top gun going into the competition. However, their captain and centre forward was on the periphery for much of the tournament, only finding the net twice, each time from the spot. All that changed in the final when he made sure of victory with a close-range diving header in the 79th minute.

Diarra, an unfortunate hero: “Having the ability to save your team in a penalty shoot-out, when a lot of people are depending on you, is a unique feeling,” Djigui Diarra told FIFA.com at the end of CHAN 2016, where he first showed his shot-stopping skills on the continental stage. Five years later, the Mali keeper distinguished himself again, helping his side prevail during shootouts twice more. But as in 2016, Diarra could not prevent defeat in the final. “I’m convinced that we’ll have the chance to redeem ourselves,” he said in 2016. Perhaps Diarra and his team-mates will get another one.

What they said

“I congratulate Mali and their coach Diane Nouhoum for their participation in the competition. Reaching the final is an achievement in itself. For our part, we came here with a vastly changed team and new staff. So, it was about creating our own history and winning for ourselves. Today’s final was difficult, but we did enough and were deserved winners I think.” – Houcine Ammouta, coach of Morocco’s CHAN team

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QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, was today unveiled as an Official Middle East and Africa Supporter of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ as well as the Official Qatari Bank of the tournament.

As an Official Middle East and Africa Supporter of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, QNB will be granted various assets and rights across the region, as well as branding exposure in the Host Cities. The group has an extensive network of ATMs and locations and will be the sole provider of on-site ATMs at all eight FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums.

Speaking about the announcement, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said:

“As preparations continue for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, we are delighted to welcome QNB Group to our team of Commercial Affiliates as a Regional Supporter. QNB Group is a well-respected Qatari institution with many locations and financial facilities that I am certain will be of great assistance to fans during the FIFA World Cup.”

QNB Group’s CEO, Abdulla Mubarak Al Khalifa, said:

“We are extremely proud to announce QNB’s role as an Official Middle East and Africa Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and as the Official Qatari Bank of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. QNB’s brand, the most valuable banking brand in the Middle East and Africa, will prove influential in making the tournament a success that will be remembered for generations.”

Additionally, the agreement covers the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup™, where QNB is participating as the Official Qatari Bank of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020™. The tournament will bring together six top teams from around the world to compete for the most prestigious honour in global club football and is set to be held in Doha, with matches taking place from 4 to 11 February 2021.

QNB Group’s presence through subsidiaries and associate companies extends to 31 countries across three continents, providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The group employs more than 28,000 people, serving 20 million customers and operating in over 1,000 locations, with an ATM network of over 4,300 machines. It is ranked as one of the top 500 banking brands and the top 500 global brands according to the latest Brand Finance Global 500 report.

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The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Q22) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) to collaborate in raising awareness of human rights issues, while continuing to ensure all aspects of human rights are considered in the delivery of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (Qatar 2022).

The MoU between the parties was signed by H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, H.E. Dr Ali Samikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the NHRC, and Nasser Al Khater, CEO of Q22.

Based on shared objectives – to protect and respect human rights, and believing in the opportunities that all parties have to contribute individually and jointly to the effective achievement of these objectives in the context of Qatar 2022 – the three organisations will collaborate in areas such as awareness and capacity building of relevant stakeholders, technical assistance, and the prevention and remediation of human rights impacts.

A joint working group will be established between the three organisations to deliver the objectives of the MoU. It will also facilitate information sharing and generate consultations on issues related to human rights relevant to the tournament. In addition, the agreement will facilitate the publication of research.

The NHRC is the Qatari institution recognised under the Paris Principles relating to national human rights institutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. The Qatari NHRC was accorded the highest rating (A-status) by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions for its compliance with the Paris Principles, including for example with respect to its independence, mandate, powers and resources.

H.E. Dr Ali Samikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee commented: “Based on our mandate, working to promote and respect human rights, we have aimed over the past years to spread an embedded culture of human rights across society, and presented studies and recommendations aimed at developing legislation, in particular those related to decent and fair work and access to justice. What we are witnessing today in terms of new work systems is a historic achievement for the State of Qatar and all its institutions, and a catalyst for more to be done to promote and respect human rights.”

“Under this agreement with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Q22, we are pleased to offer our expertise and experience in human rights issues. We are seizing the opportunity presented by this wonderful sporting occasion to implement best practices on human rights,” he added.

H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, said: “The SC has worked tirelessly to protect the health, safety and welfare of all workers engaged on the Qatar 2022 project. We are proud of our achievements over the past ten years and strongly believe that our actions have created a benchmark for excellence – not just in Qatar, but across the region and around the world.”

Al Thawadi added: “We have always welcomed constructive feedback and collaboration with experts. The MoU we have signed with Q22 and the NHRC will help take our commitment to human rights to the next level. With less than two years until our historic tournament begins, this ties in with our goal of ensuring Qatar 2022 makes a meaningful contribution to the state’s vision on human rights and workers’ welfare.”

Commenting on the significance of the agreement for the tournament, Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC said: “When we bid for 2022, we promised to use the tournament as a catalyst for positive social, human and environmental change in Qatar. This MoU is another demonstration of that promise being delivered and we welcome it as a positive step to achieving one of our most important tournament objectives. Our collective expertise will help ensure that the rights of everyone involved in this ground-breaking World Cup – from workers and staff to players and fans – are upheld throughout, according to the highest international standards.”

“Qatar 2022 has already raised the bar for mega sporting events when it comes to sustainability and tournament legacy planning and this agreement will ensure that legacy endures long after the last ball has been kicked,” he added.

Joyce Cook, FIFA’s Chief Social Responsibility & Education Officer, said: “We are delighted that this memorandum of understanding with the United Nations-recognised national human rights institution of Qatar is being signed and very much look forward to working together with Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy to help us in delivering our commitments to respecting the human rights of workers, fans, local communities and others touched by the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.”

“This collaboration with the NHRC is an excellent example of how FIFA tournaments also provide a platform for local stakeholders to help drive lasting human rights legacies within hosting countries,” she added.

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FIFA.com News

• Hospitality packages available from 1 February at 12:00 CET at FIFA.com/hospitality
• MATCH Hospitality reports unprecedented interest during pre-sales phase

The global launch of official hospitality packages for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will give fans worldwide the chance to join a wave of excitement for the tournament after the pre-sales phase generated unprecedented levels of interest.

Ticket-inclusive hospitality packages with optional travel packages – including accommodation and flights – will provide an opportunity to experience spectacular football in an exclusive setting at a unique celebration of the global game in Qatar.

Representatives across the globe will be authorised to sell the packages on a first-come, first-served basis after FIFA and MATCH Hospitality, the worldwide exclusive rights holder of the Official Hospitality Programme of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, concluded a global sales agent tender process.

Strong demand is expected after the pre-sales purchase period generated significant interest from FIFA’s Commercial Affiliates and prominent Qatari client groups.

“We are delighted to see such extraordinary interest in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, when following challenging times, the world can come together for a global festival of football,” said FIFA Director of Commercial Revenue Nick Brown. “The FIFA Hospitality Programme has a proven track record of delivering a fantastic range of products, and in late 2022 we will open the door to world-class services and memorable experiences for hospitality clients.”

Demonstrating the anticipated appetite for next year’s final tournament, which will be staged in Qatar from 21 November to 18 December 2022, the tournament’s hospitality agents have collectively committed to sales targets far beyond the totals achieved for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ and 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

Jaime Byrom, Executive Chairman of MATCH Hospitality, said: “The remarkable response we have had to our pre-sales has further cemented our belief that despite the events of recent months due to the global pandemic, there remains unwavering enthusiasm and interest in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Hospitality Programme. Qatar promises to deliver an amazing tournament that will capitalise on its principal attributes; the close proximity of its eight stadiums which are all located in or within a short driving distance of Doha, a fascinating region with unique attractions, spectacular state-of-the-art stadiums, and traditional Arabic hospitality.”

The FIFA Hospitality Programme will offer guests packages that will include match tickets plus a wide range of on-site services at the stadiums, such as gourmet catering, premium beverages, preferential parking, entertainment and gifts, as well as additional ancillary services, including accommodation and air transportation.

Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, said: “The launch of global hospitality packages for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 brings us another step closer to delivering an extraordinary tournament in just under two years’ time. We have always said that Qatar 2022 will set new global benchmarks for the delivery of mega-events, and hospitality is no exception.

“Making guests welcome and feel entirely at home is a central tenet of Arab and Middle Eastern culture; alongside our partners, we look forward to greeting our fans and visitors with a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they come to Qatar, and help them make memories they will never forget,” he added.

For more information and to purchase official hospitality for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, visit FIFA.com/hospitality.

FIFA.com
FIFA.com News