CHAN Qualifiers: South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia Advance

South Africa triumphed over Egypt with a 3-1 victory, advancing to the final qualifying round of CHAN. Malawi also progressed with a dominant 4-0 aggregate win over the Comoros. Gambia secured their place following a penalty shootout against Gabon. The CHAN tournament, scheduled for August, features only players from domestic leagues and significantly impacts FIFA rankings.

South Africa achieved a remarkable 3-1 win over Egypt in Ismailia, securing their spot in the final qualifying round for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). With an aggregate score of 4-2, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg held in Bloemfontein, South Africa is set to face Malawi in a two-legged tie scheduled for May.

The 19-nation CHAN tournament, initially slated for February, has been postponed to August due to delays in preparations. This tournament will be hosted across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Despite being favored after the previous draw, Egypt struggled to match South Africa’s energetic performance, finding themselves fortunate to exit the first half trailing only 2-1.

The South African captain, Neo Maema, opened the scoring in the 15th minute and nearly completed a first-half hat-trick, hitting the woodwork twice. Yandisa Mfolozi extended the lead to 2-0 in the 27th minute, but Egypt’s Abou el Enein responded shortly thereafter. However, Siphelele Luthuli’s successful penalty conversion six minutes into the second half effectively thwarted Egypt’s chances of a comeback.

Malawi also advanced comfortably to the next round, boasting a 4-0 aggregate victory over the Comoros. They secured their spot with a convincing 2-0 win in the second leg held in Lilongwe, highlighted by second-half goals from Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji. The Comoros faced the challenge of playing their first-leg match away due to insufficient stadium facilities.

Additionally, Gambia qualified following a tense penalty shootout against Gabon. The match ended in two goalless draws before Gambia converted all five penalties, winning 5-3 and setting up a final-round encounter with Algeria, who had a bye.

Notably, the CHAN tournament is unique as it features only players from domestic leagues. Matches hold full international status and impact FIFA world rankings. Historically, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo have each won the tournament twice, with Tunisia, Libya, and Senegal each securing a title.

The recent qualifying matches for the CHAN tournament highlighted the competitive spirit and determination of teams like South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia. South Africa’s victory over Egypt exemplified their prowess, while Malawi’s commanding performance against the Comoros ensured their progression. Gambia also displayed resilience in overcoming Gabon in penalties, culminating in a promising setup for the upcoming tournament in August. This event showcases the talent present in domestic leagues across Africa.

Original Source: newscentral.africa

About Marcus Chen

Marcus Chen has a rich background in multimedia journalism, having worked for several prominent news organizations across Asia and North America. His unique ability to bridge cultural gaps enables him to report on global issues with sensitivity and insight. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, and has reported from conflict zones, bringing forth stories that resonate with readers worldwide.

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