Joseph Antoine Bell, the former Cameroonian international, has once again stirred controversy with his outspoken views, this time regarding the African Nations Championship (CHAN). Known for his blunt statements, Bell expressed his disapproval of the tournament during the launch of the 2nd edition of the African Football Night in Abidjan.
“I personally am against CHAN. When we talk about excellence, we cannot have two levels. CHAN is made for the weak,” remarked the former Indomitable Lion.
Bell criticized the concept of CHAN, suggesting that it caters to players who have not made it to the main national team, implying a lack of quality. He questioned whether top teams like Ivory Coast would send their CHAN squad to the World Cup, implying the disparity in talent between CHAN and elite international competitions.
Furthermore, Bell likened CHAN to an “exam for those who have failed,” suggesting that promoting such tournaments would not lead to African success in global competitions like the World Cup. He emphasized that countries like Mauritania, which struggle to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), wouldn’t stand a chance in the World Cup.
In his closing remarks, Bell characterized CHAN as a form of recreational football rather than a platform for excellence, equating it to Sunday football matches in Ivory Coast.
Bell’s comments have sparked debate and raised questions about the significance and purpose of CHAN in African football development.
