South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia have successfully advanced in the CHAN qualifiers. South Africa defeated Egypt 3-1 to face Malawi next in May. Malawi secured a 4-0 aggregate win over Comoros, while Gambia triumphed over Gabon in penalties. The CHAN tournament is scheduled for August in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, highlighting domestic league players.
On Sunday, South Africa triumphed with a remarkable 3-1 victory over Egypt in Ismailia, thus securing advancement to the final qualifying round for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). With a 4-2 aggregate win following a 1-1 tie in the first leg in Bloemfontein, South Africa will compete against Malawi in a two-legged playoff scheduled for May.
The CHAN tournament is set to take place across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with its commencement delayed from February to August due to preparation issues. Despite entering the match as the favorites following a draw in the first leg, Egypt struggled to keep pace with their energetic counterparts.
Throughout the match, South African captain and midfielder Neo Maema opened the scoring in the 15th minute, nearly achieving a hat trick with two shots hitting the woodwork. Yandisa Mfolozi extended the lead to 2-0 in the 27th minute following a defensive error by Egypt, but the Pharaohs responded promptly through Abou el Enein.
The hopes of an Egyptian resurgence were dashed when Siphelele Luthuli successfully converted a penalty six minutes into the second half, reinstating South Africa’s two-goal advantage. Egypt required at least three goals to advance, and their chances of a comeback dwindled significantly.
In another match, Malawi advanced with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Comoros. Following a first-leg win, they secured another 2-0 victory in Lilongwe, thanks to second-half goals from Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji. Comoros faced the challenge of playing their first-leg match away due to lacking an internationally compliant stadium.
Additionally, The Gambia progressed by defeating Gabon in a penalty shootout after two goalless draws. Gambia successfully converted all five penalties for a 5-3 victory, which sets up a final-round face-off against Algeria, who received a bye.
The CHAN tournament is distinctive as it exclusively features players from domestic leagues, with matches holding full international status that contribute to FIFA rankings. Notably, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo have both won the tournament twice, while Tunisia, Libya, and Senegal each possess one title.
In conclusion, South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia have secured their spots in the next round of the CHAN qualifiers, showcasing their formidable performances. South Africa achieved a convincing win against Egypt, while Malawi and Gambia displayed remarkable skill to overcome their opponents. With the tournament’s unique focus on domestic league players, anticipation builds for the upcoming matches that will shape the future of these teams in international football.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
