South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia have advanced in the CHAN qualifiers. South Africa defeated Egypt 3-1, securing a 4-2 aggregate win. Malawi beat the Comoros 4-0 overall, while Gambia triumphed over Gabon in penalties after two goalless draws. The tournament is set for August, showcasing domestic league players.
South Africa achieved a remarkable 3-1 victory over Egypt in Ismailia on Sunday, advancing to the final qualifying round for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). With a 4-2 aggregate victory after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Bloemfontein, they will face Malawi in May for a chance to participate in the tournament, which has been postponed to August due to preparation delays.
Despite being the favorites, Egypt struggled against the energetic South African side. South Africa’s captain, Neo Maema, opened the scoring in the 15th minute and nearly secured a first-half hat-trick, hitting the woodwork twice. Yandisa Mfolozi extended the lead to 2-0, but Egypt’s Abou el Enein quickly answered, bringing the score to 2-1 at halftime. Siphelele Luthuli’s penalty six minutes into the second half restored South Africa’s two-goal advantage, effectively negating Egypt’s chances for a comeback.
In a parallel match, Malawi secured a comfortable qualification with a 4-0 aggregate win over the Comoros. They sustained their momentum with a 2-0 victory in Lilongwe, featuring goals from Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji in the second half. The Comoros faced challenges, having to play their first leg away due to inadequate stadium facilities.
Furthermore, Gambia advanced after a tense penalty shootout against Gabon. With both teams finishing two leg matches in a stalemate, Gambia successfully converted all five penalties to win 5-3, leading to a final round matchup against Algeria, who received a bye.
The CHAN tournament is unique as it exclusively features players engaged in domestic leagues. All matches are recognized with full international status, impacting FIFA world rankings. Historically, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo have each won the tournament twice, while Tunisia, Libya, and Senegal have secured one title each.
In conclusion, South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia have successfully secured their places in the next round of the African Nations Championship qualifiers. South Africa’s significant victory over Egypt underscores their potent performance, while Malawi’s confident win and Gambia’s triumph in a penalty shootout highlight the competitive nature of the tournament. The CHAN tournament is an important event in international football, emphasizing domestic league players and their contributions to national teams.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
