24 February 2011
A number of coaches at the 2011 African Nations Championship (CHAN) have come out in praise of the tournament that has been held in Sudan.
With the final to be played on Friday between Tunisia and Angola, as well as the third-placed lay-off between Sudan and Algeria, the tournament will come to a close on what organisers hope will be a high note.
Certainly it has been a successful event to this point, with some top football played and no shortage of surprises from the teams. As the competition features only players playing their trade in their domestic leagues, it affords national team coaches the chance to widen their net, observing rising stars in a highly competitive environment.
A number have told Cafonline.com of their delight at the chance to see players they might ordinarily not get the chance to select for the national side.
Ugandan coach Bobby Williamson says the tournament will see some fresh blood brought into the full senior set-up.
The CHAN has been a good preparation for team for the next round of the qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. I can say about five players from these team will be promoted to the senior national team, he said.
Amadou Diallo, coach of Mali, concurs, saying he was delighted to give his youngsters a run.
The CHAN tournament is very idea and the organizers deserve commendation. Many young players have gained a lot of experience participating at this tourney. With this the future of African football is very bright, he said.
Emmanuel Ndombe, coach of Cameroon, has praised the standard of the tournament which, he says, has been very high.
The standard has been very high. For many of my players, this is an opportunity to showcase their talent to the rest of the world. It is a good initiative for players who many never get the opportunity to play for the senior national team to make a case for their inclusion.
Despite Rwanda not reaching the quarterfinals, coach Sellas Tetteh says the experience of competing in Sudan was vital.
This is very good for the progress of African football. My team was almost my main national team and the experience has been very vital, Tetteh said.
Zimbabwe took a younger side along and used the competition as preparation for their Under-23 side.
The CHAN tournament has served a build up for my team for the All Africa Games. The experience has been positive, playing amongst different teams from different backgrounds, coach Madinda Ndlovu said.
And for host country Sudan it has been a superb advert for the capabilities of the country, to host such an event at a time when the political situation in the country has left some divided.
The CHAN tournament is very positive for African football. For Sudan, it has enhanced the development of sporting infrastructure. Through this tournament, the people of Sudan have come together and this is very good for national development, coach Mohamed Abdallah said.
