TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2025 Qualifiers: Malawi and South Africa Impress in First Legs
In the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2025 qualifiers, Malawi secured a 2-0 victory over Comoros, while South Africa drew 1-1 with Egypt. Gambia and Gabon played a goalless match. Upcoming second leg fixtures will determine which teams qualify for the tournament.
The second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualification round began with significant results. Malawi showcased an impressive performance with a 2-0 away win against Comoros, while South Africa fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Egypt. The opening match saw Gambia and Gabon end in a goalless stalemate.
Malawi initially took control of their match, capitalizing on a defensive error by Comoros shortly before halftime, with Binwell Katinji scoring the first goal in the 44th minute. Despite efforts from Comoros to fight back in the second half, they were unable to penetrate Malawi’s organized defense. Zebron Kalima secured Malawi’s victory with a decisive goal in stoppage time, setting up a favorable return leg at home.
Meanwhile, South Africa faced a challenging match against Egypt. The Bafana Bafana, coached by Molefi Ntseki, had a strong lineup and created several chances in the first half. Egypt scored first in the 75th minute through Hassan Abdelaal following a long ball. However, Jamie Webber replied with a stunning long-range goal to equalize for South Africa just minutes later, leaving everything to play for in the return leg.
The initial match of the round featured Gambia and Gabon, which concluded in a scoreless draw. Gabon’s defense proved solid throughout the match, enabling them to secure a crucial away point. They will host Gambia in the return leg, where they will seek progression to the next phase of qualification for the CHAN tournament.
As the first leg matches conclude, the focus shifts to the second leg fixtures, where qualification for the CHAN 2025 will be at stake. Matches scheduled for March 8 and 9 will determine which teams advance further in the competition.
In summary, the opening fixtures of the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2025 qualifiers yielded pivotal outcomes. Malawi’s dominant away victory over Comoros positioned them favorably for the return leg, while South Africa’s comeback against Egypt showcased their resilience. Gambia and Gabon’s draw keeps the competition tight. As teams prepare for the second leg matches, the quest for qualification remains fiercely competitive.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
