South Africa secured a 3-1 victory against Egypt, advancing to the CHAN qualifiers’ final round. Malawi triumphed over the Comoros with a 4-0 aggregate win, while Gambia defeated Gabon in penalties. The tournament, postponed to August, exclusively features domestic league players and affects FIFA rankings.
South Africa achieved a remarkable 3-1 victory over Egypt in Ismailia, securing a spot in the final qualifying round for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). With a 4-2 aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Bloemfontein, South Africa will face Malawi over two legs in May for a place in the biennial tournament set to occur in August due to preparation delays.
Despite being the favorites after their home draw, Egypt struggled against the dynamic South African squad. The hosts were fortunate to trail only 2-1 at the halftime mark. South African captain Neo Maema broke the deadlock early in the 15th minute and was close to netting a first-half hat-trick, striking the woodwork on two occasions. Yandisa Mfolozi extended the lead to 2-1 in the 27th minute after a failed clearance by Egypt, but Abou el Enein quickly countered for the Pharaohs just five minutes later.
Siphelele Luthuli converted a penalty six minutes into the second half, restoring South Africa’s two-goal aggregate cushion. With Egypt needing at least three goals to advance under the away-goal rule, they failed to mount a credible comeback. Meanwhile, Malawi comfortably advanced with a 4-0 aggregate victory over the Comoros, securing a 2-0 win in their second leg in Lilongwe thanks to goals from Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji.
The Comoros had to play their first leg away from home, as their local stadium does not meet international standards. In a separate matchup, Gambia progressed after defeating Gabon in a penalty shootout. Following two goalless draws, Gambia converted all five penalties to win 5-3, setting up a final-round clash with Algeria, who received a bye.
The CHAN tournament is unique, as it exclusively features players from domestic leagues, with matches holding full international status and impacting FIFA world rankings. Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo each have two tournament titles, while Tunisia, Libya, and Senegal have one each.
In conclusion, South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia have advanced in the CHAN qualifiers, showcasing notable performances. South Africa triumphed over Egypt with a decisive aggregate victory, while Malawi comfortably defeated the Comoros. Gambia’s resilience in penalty shootouts against Gabon also highlights the competitive spirit of the tournament, which uniquely focuses on domestic league players and affects FIFA rankings. The upcoming matches promise further excitement as teams vie for a place in the tournament.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
