CHAN Qualifiers: South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia Advance to Finals
South Africa defeated Egypt 3-1, securing qualification for CHAN alongside Malawi and Gambia. Malawi won 4-0 on aggregate over Comoros, while Gambia advanced after a penalty shootout victory against Gabon. The tournament, postponed to August, highlights domestic league players competing at an international level.
The South African national football team achieved an impressive 3-1 victory against Egypt in Ismailia, thus securing a spot in the final qualifying round for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, South Africa ultimately triumphed with a 4-2 aggregate. They will face Malawi in a two-legged tie scheduled for May to compete for participation in the tournament.
Initially set for February, the 19-nation CHAN tournament has been rescheduled to August due to delays in preparations. This prestigious event will be hosted across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Despite Egypt being seen as favorites, their performance faltered against South Africa’s energetic play, with the halftime score reflecting a fortunate 2-1 for the hosts.
Neo Maema, the South African captain and notable midfielder, opened the scoring in the 15th minute, narrowly missing a first-half hat-trick after hitting the woodwork twice. Yandisa Mfolozi extended the South African lead in the 27th minute after a defensive lapse by Egypt, but Egypt answered quickly through Abou el Enein within five minutes. South Africa’s commanding lead was restored with Siphelele Luthuli’s penalty conversion at the start of the second half, crippling Egypt’s chances of recovery.
In another qualifying match, Malawi secured their progression with a 4-0 aggregate victory over the Comoros, finishing with a decisive 2-0 win in Lilongwe propelled by goals from Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji. The Comoros had to play their initial match away due to the lack of an adequately-sized stadium.
Gambia also made it to the next round after defeating Gabon in a tense penalty shootout, which followed two goalless draws. Gambia remained calm under pressure, successfully converting all five penalties to win 5-3. They will now meet Algeria, who received a bye in the qualifying round.
The CHAN tournament is unique in international football as it exclusively features players participating in their domestic leagues, holding full international status and impacting FIFA world rankings. Historically, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo have each secured two tournament wins, while Tunisia, Libya, and Senegal hold one title each.
In conclusion, South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia have successfully advanced to the final qualifying stages of the African Nations Championship. South Africa defeated Egypt emphatically, Malawi dominated the Comoros, and Gambia triumphed in a penalty shootout against Gabon. With the tournament featuring players primarily from domestic leagues, the CHAN continues to hold significance in the international football landscape. The postponement of the tournament to August allows for adequate preparations across the host nations.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
