Officially, Morocco won’t be going to Algeria to defend its title in 2023.

Now, it’s a done deal. Morocco will not take part in the African Championship for home-grown athletes (CHAN 2023) that will take place in Algeria from January 13 to February 4. The federal organization posted a press release on its website on Thursday, making the decision official.

The Moroccan national football team is unable to travel to Constantine, Algeria, to compete in the 7th edition of the African Championship of Nations of Football, which will be held there from January 13 to February 4, 2023 (CHAN 2002), and defend its title because the flight of Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the team’s official air carrier, from Rabat to Constantine has not yet received official authorization.

Following its request for authorization of a RAM flight from Rabat to Constantine, the FRMF was informed on December 22, 2022 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as the body in charge of the organization of the CHAN 2022, that an authorization in principle had been obtained.

Based on this preliminary approval, the FRMF shared the Moroccan Selection’s flight details and coordinates in order to secure the final approval of the RAM flight from Rabat to Constantine. The Moroccan Selection’s participation in the CHAN 2022 was also continued, including the preparation training course that will take place at the Mohammed VI Complex of Football in Salé from January 6 to January 10, 2023.

While the FRMF is in charge of organizing the Moroccan Selection’s trip from Rabat to Constantine and the start of the CHAN 2022 is set for January 13, 2023, or in less than 24 hours, the FRMF regrets that the CAF has not yet officially authorized the RAM flight from Rabat to Constantine.