African Nations Cup Drama: Algeria’s Team Flies Moroccan Airline Despite Diplomatic Boycott

After their arrival at Oujda Angad airport, the two delegations headed to their respective competition venues. The Algerian team went to the municipal stadium in Berkane to face Ghana, while the Senegalese selection remained in Oujda for their match against South Africa, at the city’s honor stadium.

This logistical arrangement is somewhat strange due to the diplomatic context. The Algerian authorities apply an official boycott of the Royal Air Maroc company and have closed their airspace to all Moroccan aircraft. Furthermore, the official media coverage of the competition in Algeria systematically omits to mention that the tournament is taking place in Morocco.

Royal Air Maroc is the official carrier of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the organizing body of the event. The partnership implies that the company ensures part of the flights necessary for the transportation of the teams between the different sites of the competition.