CHAN
CHAN 2022 qualifying draw sets up possible Ghana v Nigeria clash
The draw for the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers has been held in Cairo and sees a potential clash between Nigeria and Ghana for a place at the finals.
The seeding system for the tournament was based on the results of the last three editions of CHAN, meaning that Ghana and Benin were the lowest-ranked sides and will face each other in regionally-based qualifiers.
The aggregate winner of that game will face Nigeria in the final round in Western Zone B.
A total of 46 nations were entered in the draw for the expanded tournament for locally-based players which will feature 18 teams for the first time.
Earlier this week the Confederation of African Football (Caf) announced the increase in the number of teams from 16, leading to an unusual format for the finals in Algeria next year.
Caf says the finals will have five groups; three of which will have four nations, while the other two will be comprised of just three teams.
It means the top two from the four-team groups will be joined in the quarter-finals by the winners of the other two pools.
Hosts Algeria, defending champions Morocco and fellow North Africans Libya are already assured of spots at the tournament.
Zimbabwe were included in the draw for the Southern Zone qualifiers despite currently being banned from global football by Fifa and having been thrown out of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“In case the suspension of Zimbabwe FA is not lifted two weeks before their first match, they will be considered loser and eliminated from the competition,” Caf explained.
The delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the World Cup in Qatar in November and December seem to have had a knock-on effect on the CHAN finals, which are scheduled for 8-31 January 2023.
All qualifying ties are set to be played over two legs, with the winners on aggregate progressing.
First round first leg matches will be played between 22 and 24 July with the return legs a week later.
Those zones with just a single round, and the second rounds in the remainder of zones, will be held between 26 and 28 August, with the return legs also a week later.
CHAN 2022 qualifying – Northern Zone
Two-time defending champions Morocco and Libya were the only nations to enter the qualifiers and so will be at the finals along with hosts Algeria.
Egypt once again opted not to take part in the tournament while Tunisia were suspended after their late withdrawal from the 2020 qualifying campaign.
Western Zone A
All nine teams from region entered to take part in the qualifiers, and three teams will qualify.
First Round:
- Liberia v Senegal
- Sierra Leone v Cape Verde
- The Gambia v Guinea-Bissau
Second Round:
- Liberia/Senegal v Guinea
- Sierra Leone/Cape Verde v Mali
- The Gambia/Guinea-Bissau v Mauritania
Western Zone B
All seven teams from the region entered, and three teams will qualify.
Round one:
- Ghana v Benin
Round two:
- Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso
- Togo v Niger
- Ghana/Benin v Nigeria
Central Zone
A total of six teams entered, and three will qualify.
Sao Tome e Principe were suspended from the CHAN after withdrawing from the 2020 qualifiers, while Gabon opted not to enter.
- Central African Republic v Congo
- Equatorial Guinea v Cameroon
- Chad v DR Congo
Central East Zone
A total of nine teams entered, and three teams will qualify. Eritrea and Kenya opted not to enter.
Round one:
- Ethiopia v South Sudan
- Somalia v Tanzania
- Burundi v Djibouti
Round two:
- Ethiopia/South Sudan v Rwanda
- Somalia/Tanzania v Uganda
- Burundi/Djibouti v Sudan
Southern Zone
A total of 12 teams entered, and three will qualify. Lesotho opted not to enter while Namibia were part of Caf’s original draw procedures but were not included in the final draw.
Round one:
- Mauritius v Angola
- Comoros v South Africa
- Botswana v Eswatini
- Seychelles v Madagascar
- Malawi v Zimbabwe
- Mozambique v Zambia
Round two:
- Mauritius/Angola v Comoros/South Africa
- Botswana/Eswatini v Seychelles/Madagascar
- Malawi/Zimbabwe v Mozambique/Zambia
Head Coach Eric Chelle has released a 35-man provisional squad for Nigeria’s Super Eagles B ahead of the 8th African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to hold next month across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Among the invited players are team captain Junior Harrison Nduka, Papa Mustapha Daniel, and striker Anas Yusuf. First-choice goalkeeper Henry Ani also made the list, alongside defenders Waliu Ojetoye, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Mohammed Kabiru, and Uzondu Harrison.
The midfield ranks are bolstered by the inclusion of Saviour Isaac and Haddi Haruna, while the attacking lineup features Sunday Megwo, Adamu Abubakar, and Godwin Obaje.
Also making the squad are goalkeepers Kayode Bankole and Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Stephen Manyo Egbe, midfielder Adam Aminu, and forwards Atule Joseph and Temitope Vincent.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2018 edition, are drawn in Group D of the expanded 19-team tournament. They will face defending champions Senegal, as well as Sudan and Congo.
The Super Eagles B are scheduled to play their first two matches—against Senegal and Sudan—at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar, before traveling to Dar es Salaam to take on Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
All invited players have been directed to report at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, on Monday, July 7, with their international passports and valid club licenses.
35 PLAYERS FOR SUPER EAGLES B CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO
Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena Ani (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo
Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United); Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars);
Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos)
Defenders: Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojewole (Ikorodu City);
Bankole Afeez (Kwara United); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Uzondu
Harrison (Ikorodu City); Junior Harrison Nduka (Remo Stars); Mohammed
Kabiru (Kwara United); Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi
(Rangers International); Steven Mayo Egbe (Rivers United)
Midfielders: Adebayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars); Adejoh Ojonugwa (Abia
Warriors); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi
Warriors); Haddi Haruna (Remo Stars); Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United);
Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Adam Aminu (Kano Pillars);
Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars)
Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United);
Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope
Vincent (Plateau United); Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors); Atule Joseph
(Enyimba FC); Ayomide Cole (Ikorodu City); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors);
Aniekeme Okon (Rivers United); Godwin Obaje (Rangers International)
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With just over a month to the kick-off of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), defending champions Senegal have begun early preparations by opening a two-week residential training camp ahead of the tournament.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed that the camp, which commenced on Monday, June 30, is taking place at the Jules François Bocandé Technical Development Centre in Toubab Dialaw. The training programme will run until July 11 and serves as a key phase in the Teranga Lions A’ team’s build-up to the continental competition.
CHAN 2025, which runs from August 2 to 30, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Senegal, drawn in Group D alongside Nigeria, Sudan, and Congo, will play their group matches in Zanzibar.
A total of 28 players have been called up for this initial training phase, with selections drawn largely from standout performers in Senegal’s domestic league. Teungueth FC, reigning champions of Ligue 1, lead the contributions with four players in the squad. Other top clubs including Generation Foot, AS Pikine, Casa Sports, and ASC Jaraaf are also well represented.
According to the FSF, the camp is focused on tactical drills, fitness conditioning, and fostering team chemistry as the West African side seeks to retain the title they won in Algeria in 2023.
The coaching crew will use this period to assess player form and fitness while planning a series of test matches to fine-tune the squad ahead of the final list for the tournament.
The CHAN tournament, staged biennially, is exclusively reserved for players who compete in their respective national leagues. It serves as a key platform for local talent to gain international exposure and plays a vital role in player development across the continent.
Senegal’s early move into camp signals their serious intent to mount a strong title defence in what promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament. Their opening group game against Nigeria is already drawing attention as one of the headline clashes of the group stage.
Below is the full list of 28 players invited to camp:
Marc Phillips Arona Diouf (Teungueth FC), Idrissa Ndiaye (Génération Foot), Mouhamed Sissokho (Amitié FC), Amar Fall (AS Pikine), Elhadji Malick Sembene (Dakar Sacré-Coeur), Seyni Mbaye Ndiaye (US Gorée), Baye Assane Ciss (Teungueth FC), Ousmane Konate (AS Douanes), Daouda Ba (Dakar Sacré-Coeur), Alfred Gomis (US Ouakam), Amadou Bene Coly (AJEL Rufisque), Joseph Layousse Ifra Samb (Teungueth), Issa Kane (Casa Sports), Issaga Kane (ASC Jaraaf), Mbaye Yaya Ly (AS Pikine), Pape Abasse Badji (Génération Foot), Ousseynou Fall Seck (AJEL Rufisque), Insa Boye (Diambars), Libasse Gueye (Teungueth FC), Mangone Ndiaye (AS Pikine), Oumar Ba (US Gorée), Ameth Niang (ASC Jaraaf), Moustapha Fanne (Guédiawaye), Isma Gueye Kouate (Génération Foot), Mapathe Mbodj (AS Kaffrine), Christian Gomis (Essamaye FC), Seydina Madione Mbaye (AJEL Rufisque), Bonaventure Bonito Fonseca (US Ouakam)
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CHAN
CHAN 2024: Nigeria to Play Group Matches in Zanzibar as Tournament Serves as AFCON 2027 Dress Rehearsal
Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team will play their Group B matches of the 8th African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Zanzibar, an island territory of Tanzania, when the competition kicks off from August 2 to 30, 2024.
The island, located off the East African coast, has a population of under two million and is one of three host venues selected for the tournament.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Thursday that the CHAN tournament—reserved for players plying their trade in domestic leagues—will serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Group B, where Nigeria is drawn, includes reigning champions Senegal, Congo, and Sudan. Congo was recently reinstated into the group following the expulsion of Equatorial Guinea by the CAF Appeals Committee.
The opening match of the tournament will be held at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Kampala’s Mandela Stadium in Uganda will host the third and fourth matches, while the final is scheduled for Saturday, August 30, at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
Nigeria, silver medallists in the 2018 edition and bronze winners in 2014, booked their place at this year’s finals after defeating Ghana 3-1 on aggregate in their qualifying tie last December.
GROUP A: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia (Nairobi)
GROUP B: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic (Dar es Salaam)
GROUP C: Uganda, Niger, Guinea, South Africa, Algeria (Kampala)
GROUP D: Senegal, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria (Zanzibar)
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