CHAN
CAF CHAN 2025 Qualifiers: Malawi dominate Comoros
The first leg of the second qualification stage for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 concluded on Sunday, with key results shaping the road to the next round.
Malawi stunned Comoros with a decisive 2-0 away victory, while South Africa came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Egypt.
The first fixture of the round, played on Friday, saw Gambia and Gabon share the spoils in a goalless encounter.
Malawi Take Command Against Comoros
Playing away, Malawi impressed with a clinical display, defeating Comoros 2-0.
The visitors took control in the 44th minute, when Binwell Katinji capitalized on a defensive lapse to put Malawi ahead just before halftime.
Comoros attempted to fight back in the second half, but their inability to break through a well-organized Malawian defense proved costly.
Any hopes of a comeback were dashed in stoppage time, when Zebron Kalima sealed the victory with a second goal in the 90th minute.
With a two-goal cushion, Malawi will now look to finish the job at home in the return leg on March 8.
Meanwhile, Comoros face an uphill battle to overturn the deficit.
Gambia and Gabon Play Out Goalless Stalemate
In the opening match of the round, Gambia and Gabon played out a 0-0 draw at the Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal.
Gabon’s defensive solidity ensured they left with a valuable away result, giving them the advantage heading into the return leg on March 8, where they will host Gambia with the opportunity to progress.
With the first legs completed, all six teams will now turn their attention to the crucial second-leg fixtures, where places in the next phase of CHAN 2025 qualification will be decided.
First Leg Results:
- Gambia 0-0 Gabon (February 28, 2025)
- Comoros 0-2 Malawi (March 2, 2025)
- South Africa 1-1 Egypt (March 2, 2025)
Second Leg Fixtures:
- Malawi vs. Comoros – March 8, 2025 | 13:00 GMT
- Gabon vs. Gambia – March 8, 2025 | 15:00 GMT
- Egypt vs. South Africa – March 9, 2025 | 19:30 GMT
With all to play for in the return legs, the battle for qualification to CHAN 2025 remains wide open.
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Egypt’s local national team claimed a crucial away goal after drawing 1-1 with South Africa in the first leg of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers at Free State Stadium on Sunday.
Mohamed Antar put Egypt ahead in the 66th minute with a well-taken volley before South Africa’s Jamie Webber equalized with a powerful strike 14 minutes from time.
The Pharaohs started cautiously, prioritizing defensive stability, while the hosts struggled to break through. South Africa’s first real threat came early in the eighth minute when Monnapule Saleng tested goalkeeper Mahmoud Abou El-Saoud from a distance.
Both sides lacked fluency in the first half, so the teams went into the break level at 0-0. After the restart, Egypt capitalized on a defensive mistake, with Antar firing home to give the visitors a crucial lead.
However, South Africa responded strongly, with Webber unleashing a long-range effort that found the top corner, denying Egypt a first-leg victory.
The result leaves Egypt in a strong position, with the away goal offering a slight advantage ahead of the second leg, scheduled for 9 March in Cairo.
A goalless draw would be enough to send Egypt into the final qualifying round. In this round, they would face either Comoros or Malawi for a place at CHAN 2025, which will be held in August in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
-Ahram
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The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) originally meant to be held in 2024 but shifted to February 2025 and again moved to August now has new dates.
The competition to be held in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will now start on Saturday, August 2 and end on Saturday, August 30.
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Congo, one of Nigeria’s opponents in Group D of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), has been disqualified.
The CAF Disciplinary Board announced on Thursday that Congo fielded an ineligible player in their last match against Equatorial Guinea.
As a result, the last match played by Congo has been declared forfeited. Equatorial Guinea will now take the position of Congo in Group D of the African Nations Championship in August.
In addition to forfeiting the match, Congo Football Federation is also fined $10,000. The fine has to be paid within 69 days.
The whole episode centred on Congo fielding Mankou Nguembete Japhet Eloi in the last qualifying match.
The player is reported to have transferred from his local club in Congo to another club, Leones Vegetarianosin Equatorial Guinea when the match was played.
Congo reportedly didn’t present valid national licenses which is an essential requirement.
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