South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia advance in CHAN qualifiers. South Africa triumphed over Egypt 3-1, Malawi defeated Comoros 4-0 on aggregate, and Gambia won a penalty shootout against Gabon. The CHAN tournament is scheduled for August, focusing on players from domestic leagues.
South Africa secured a notable 3-1 victory against Egypt in Ismailia, advancing to the final qualifying round for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a 4-2 aggregate win after a 1-1 first-leg draw in Bloemfontein. They will now face Malawi in a two-legged tie in May for a spot at the biennial tournament.
Originally planned for February, the 19-nation CHAN tournament will now occur in August, hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, due to preparation delays. Egypt, despite being favored after the initial draw, struggled against South Africa’s high energy and was fortunate to be trailing only 2-1 at halftime.
Captain Neo Maema put South Africa ahead in the 15th minute, narrowly missing further goals by striking the woodwork twice. Yandisa Mfolozi doubled their lead in the 27th minute after a defensive error from Egypt, who soon equalized with a goal from Abou el Enein. Siphelele Luthuli later scored a penalty early in the second half, eliminating Egypt’s hopes for progression.
Malawi easily secured their qualifying spot with a 4-0 aggregate win over Comoros, following a 2-0 victory in Lilongwe, led by second-half goals from Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji. The Comoros played their first-leg match away due to a lack of an internationally compliant stadium.
Additionally, Gambia advanced by defeating Gabon in a penalty shootout. After two draws, they succeeded in converting all five penalties, winning 5-3 in Franceville, which sets up a final-round clash against Algeria, who received a bye.
The CHAN tournament is unique as it exclusively features players from domestic leagues. Matches hold full international status and impact FIFA world rankings. Historically, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo each hold two titles, while Tunisia, Libya, and Senegal have one each.
In summary, South Africa, Malawi, and Gambia have advanced in the CHAN qualifiers, demonstrating strong performances. South Africa’s victory over Egypt and Malawi’s dominant win against Comoros highlight their readiness for the upcoming tournament. Gambia’s penalty shootout success further underscores the competitiveness of the qualifying matches. The next phase of the tournament will begin in May, leading to the final event postponed to August.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
