South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia have advanced in the CHAN qualifiers. South Africa defeated Egypt 3-1, Malawi won 4-0 against Comoros, and Gambia triumphed over Gabon via penalties. The tournament has been postponed to August and will feature exclusively domestic league players.
South Africa achieved a remarkable 3-1 victory against Egypt in Ismailia, securing a spot in the final qualifying round for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). With a 4-2 aggregate following a 1-1 first-leg draw in Bloemfontein, South Africa will now face Malawi in a two-legged tie scheduled for May, as they compete for a place in this biennial tournament.
Originally set to take place in February, the 19-nation CHAN tournament has been postponed to August due to delays in preparations. The tournament will be hosted across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Egypt, considered favorites after their initial draw, struggled significantly against South Africa’s energetic play, fortunate to only be trailing 2-1 at halftime.
Captain Neo Maema of South Africa opened the scoring in the 15th minute and nearly secured a first-half hat-trick but struck the woodwork twice. Yandisa Mfolozi increased the lead at the 27-minute mark after Egypt failed to clear a cross, yet the Pharaohs quickly countered through Abou el Enein shortly thereafter. A penalty goal by Siphelele Luthuli early in the second half reaffirmed South Africa’s two-goal advantage, ultimately leading Egypt to lose hope of a comeback.
Malawi successfully qualified with a 4-0 aggregate win over the Comoros, following a 2-0 victory in Lilongwe, thanks to goals from Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji in the second half. The Comoros played their first match away as the nation lacks an adequately equipped stadium for international contests.
Additionally, Gambia advanced following a tense penalty shootout against Gabon after two goalless draws. Gambia executed all five penalties successfully, clinching a 5-3 victory in Franceville, leading them to face Algeria, which received a bye to the final round. The CHAN tournament uniquely features players from domestic leagues and the matches contribute to FIFA world rankings.
Historically, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo have each claimed the trophy twice, while Tunisia, Libya, and Senegal hold one title each.
In summary, South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia have successfully advanced to the next stage of qualifying for the CHAN tournament. South Africa triumphed over Egypt, while Malawi dominated the Comoros, and Gambia overcame Gabon in a penalty shootout. Set to take place in August across three countries, the tournament emphasizes domestic league players and carries FIFA ranking significance.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
