FIFA president attends inauguration of Mandela Stadium in Algeria

Addis Ababa January 13, 2023  (FBC) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has completed a day of engagements in Algeria, which included the inauguration ceremony to officially open the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers – and a meeting with the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

According to FIFA, the inauguration ceremony of the 40,000-seater stadium took place a day in advance of the opening game of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), as the Nelson Mandela Stadium will also host the opening match as Algeria face Libya on January 13, and it will also provide the venue for the final on February 4.

“There are important developments taking place across Algerian football, not least the opening of the Nelson Mandela Stadium, which is a fitting honour in memory of a great leader, and also a wonderful venue to host matches in the upcoming African Nations Championship,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

FIFA indicates President Infantino later met with President Tebboune at the stadium, and held fruitful discussions on a range of matters.

President Infantino also met with Patrice Motsepe, CAF President and a FIFA Vice-President, and Djahid Zefizef, the President of the Algerian Football Association (FAF) to discuss a wide range of football development matters across the African continent, and the ongoing drive to strengthen football infrastructure throughout Algeria.

By: Yonathan Yoseph