Niger and Sudan have qualified for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN). Niger secured their spot through a goalless draw against Togo, while Sudan achieved a 2-1 victory over Ethiopia. The tournament will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda in February 2025, highlighting local talent in football.
Niger has successfully qualified for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) following a goalless draw against Togo in their second-leg match. The Mena A’ team advanced on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, played in Lomé. The match took place at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali, where both sides exhibited a cautious approach. Despite Togo’s attempts, they could not find a way to overcome Niger’s slight advantage, marking Niger’s fifth appearance in the CHAN finals.
In contrast, Sudan became the first nation to secure their spot in the 2024 CHAN by achieving a convincing 2-1 victory against Ethiopia in their second-leg encounter. Coupled with a 2-0 win in the initial leg, Sudan advanced with an aggregate score of 4-1. Playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Sudan displayed offensive intent from the outset, with Musa Kanti scoring the opening goal in the 16th minute, putting pressure on Ethiopia.
Ethiopia struggled to gain momentum in the first half as Sudan’s defense remained resolute. The visitors exhibited greater determination after halftime, equalizing in the 65th minute with a goal from Bekele Berhane. Nevertheless, their joy was short-lived as Sudan’s captain, Mohamed Abdelrahman, quickly restored the lead just four minutes later, concluding the match with a 2-1 score. This victory secured Sudan’s fourth consecutive qualification for CHAN, showcasing their consistency throughout the qualifiers.
Looking forward, Sudan will compete in the CHAN tournament co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda in February 2025. As qualifiers continue, nine more teams will be decided soon, with key matches, including Burkina Faso’s attempt to overcome a 2-0 deficit against Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon striving to maintain a slight advantage over the Central African Republic. The final four spots will be concluded on Sunday, with Mali eager to rebound from a 1-0 defeat in their first leg against Mauritania.
In summary, Niger and Sudan have confirmed their participation in the upcoming TotalEnergies CHAN 2024 tournament. Niger secured qualification through the away goals rule after two draws against Togo, marking their fifth appearance in the championship. Meanwhile, Sudan dominated their qualifying stage, concluding with a remarkable 4-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia, ensuring their fourth consecutive participation in CHAN. The tournament is set for February 1 to 28, 2025, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
