CHAN
Algeria squeeze through to CHAN 2024 quarters after Niger stalemate
Algeria booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after a tense 0-0 draw with Niger in Nairobi — a result that proved just enough to see them through alongside Uganda from Group C on Monday night.
The holders of the 2022 runners-up place came into the final group fixture knowing a single point would be sufficient, and despite struggling to break down an organised Nigerien defence, Madjid Bougherra’s men did just enough to extend their tournament.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s thrilling 3-3 draw with South Africa in the other Group C match ensured they finished top of the pool on seven points, with Algeria second on six.
South Africa also ended with six points but were edged out on goal difference.
Algeria Get the Job Done
Though goalless, the contest at Nyayo National Stadium was anything but dull. Algeria dominated early possession and carved out chances, with Soufiane Bayazid and Mehdi Merghem both testing goalkeeper Mahamadou Tanja.
Niger, already eliminated before kick-off, showed spirit of their own. Ibrahim Djingarey fired over from a free kick and later saw his evening end prematurely when he was shown a second yellow card in the 77th minute.
Despite the numerical advantage, Algeria struggled for fluency.
Their clearest opportunities fell in the first half when Bayazid’s effort forced Tanja into a strong save, while Merghem headed wide from close range.
In the closing stages, it was Niger who threatened to spoil Algeria’s evening. Abdoul-Latif Goumey twice came close, including a last-gasp shot that whistled over the crossbar in stoppage time, but the stalemate held.
Group C Drama
While Algeria sweated in Nairobi, the drama unfolded simultaneously in Kampala where Uganda and South Africa produced one of the games of the tournament, a pulsating 3-3 draw.
The result meant Uganda, with seven points, topped the group, while Algeria’s superior goal difference over South Africa secured the second qualification spot.
Guinea finished fourth with four points, and Niger, goalless in the group stage, propped up the standings with two.
Niger Exit Without Scoring
For Niger, the tournament ended in disappointment. Already out before their final match, they again failed to find the back of the net, meaning they exit the 2024 edition without a single goal.
Yet there was pride in their performance. Goalkeeper Tanja was outstanding once more, while Goumey and Djingarey carried a constant threat on the counter. Coach Harouna Doula’s side ultimately lacked cutting edge but bowed out fighting.
Quarter-Finals Await
As the dust settles, Uganda and Algeria march into the quarter-finals.
Uganda do so as group winners after their swashbuckling draw with South Africa, while Algeria, though less convincing, will feel encouraged by their defensive solidity and tournament know-how.
South Africa’s spirited effort fell agonisingly short, while Guinea’s single victory was not enough to mount a challenge. For Niger, it is back to the drawing board, as they search for answers after another group-stage exit.
The knockout stage now beckons, where Algeria will need to rediscover their attacking edge if they are to repeat or better their run to the final in 2022.
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Uganda sealed a historic place in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after a dramatic 3-3 draw with South Africa at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Monday night.
In front of 34,194 ecstatic fans, the Cranes rode a rollercoaster of emotions before clinching the point that carried them through as Group C winners for the first time in their CHAN history.
South Africa, meanwhile, were left heartbroken as their campaign ended in the group stage.
Uganda Strike First
The Cranes needed only a draw to advance and looked comfortable when Jude Ssemugabi opened the scoring in the 31st minute, finishing off Patrick Kakande’s quick counter-attack. They carried the 1-0 lead into half-time, appearing firmly in control.
Bafana Bafana’s Fightback
South Africa came out revitalised after the break and turned the game on its head. Ramahlwe Mphahlele equalised in the 52nd minute, his close-range effort confirmed after a VAR review.
Just six minutes later, Thabiso Kutumela made it 2-1 with a sharp strike from a tight angle.
The visitors’ dominance grew, and in the 83rd minute, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo unleashed a thunderbolt from distance to extend the lead to 3-1, silencing the home crowd and leaving Uganda staring at elimination.
The Cranes’ Dramatic Response
But the Cranes refused to surrender. Barely two minutes later, Travis Mutyaba pulled one back with a composed finish inside the box, sparking renewed belief.
Then, in stoppage time, Rogers Torach kept his nerve to slot home a penalty after a handball decision, completing a remarkable comeback.
The final whistle was met with jubilant scenes across the Mandela National Stadium, as players and fans alike celebrated Uganda’s first-ever progression beyond the group stage of CHAN.
Group C Decided
Elsewhere, Algeria’s goalless draw with Niger meant Uganda finished top of Group C with five points, while South Africa’s four-point tally was not enough to keep them alive.
Uganda will now host their quarter-final clash in Kampala against the runners-up of Group D, continuing their fairytale run in front of passionate home support.
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CHAN
Having played 344 minutes in CHAN without a goal or a win, Nigeria plays for Pride Against Congo
By KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s campaign at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will come to a quiet close on Tuesday night when the home-based Super Eagles face Congo in their final Group D fixture at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
It will be a close to a miserable outing as Nigeria lost their two opening matches, a 1-0 defeat to Senegal followed by a humbling 4-0 loss to Sudan.
With those results, Nigeria are already eliminated from the tournament. It also means that Nigeria last won a CHAN match seven years ago when they beat Sudan 1-0 in the 2018 semi-finals.
Worse still, they are yet to score a goal in 344 minutes spanning three full matches and 74 minutes of their semi-final match of 31 January 2018.
Nigeria last scored a goal in CHAN when Gabriel Okechukwu put the ball in the net in their 31 January 2018 duel with Sudan in Marrakech, Morocco.
The tie against Congo, therefore, represents little more than an opportunity to salvage pride, restore some confidence, and give fringe players valuable international exposure.
Pride on the Line
For head coach Eric Chelle, the match is about preventing a winless campaign that would underline one of Nigeria’s poorest outings at the CHAN finals. A loss will further dent his image as it will be his third in succession.
The team has struggled to find rhythm in front of the goal and to stay compact defensively, conceding five times without scoring.
Congo Still Chasing
While Nigeria’s fate is sealed, Congo still have something to play for. The Red Devils remain in contention for a knockout place, depending on other results involving Sudan and Senegal. They are likely to approach the fixture with full intensity.
A win over Nigeria could push them into the next round, keeping their tournament hopes alive.
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Kenya confirmed their dominance in Group A of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia at a packed Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Sunday.
Ryan Ogam’s decisive strike midway through the second half ensured the Harambee Stars finished unbeaten at the summit of the group, while Zambia exited the competition without a single point.
With Morocco beating DR Congo 3-1 in the simultaneous fixture, both Kenya and Morocco progressed to the quarter-finals, leaving the Leopards stranded in third place.
Kenya will stay in Nairobi to play Madagascar in the quarter-final on Friday, while Morocco travels to face Tanzania in the other last eight match
The match was finely balanced until the 75th minute, when substitute Boniface Muchiri found space on the right and delivered a clever ball into the area.
Ogam controlled well before calmly slotting past Charles Kalumba in the Zambian goal to send the 27,000-strong Nairobi crowd into raptures.
The goal was a reward for Kenya’s persistence after dominating possession and creating several openings that were either blocked or denied by Kalumba, who had an outstanding evening despite his side’s defeat.
For Benni McCarthy’s side, the result was about more than qualification. Already assured of a quarter-final place, Kenya entered the tie determined to underline their credentials as serious title contenders.
“When everybody said Group of Death, we would probably have had zero points after four games, but we found ourselves sitting on top of the mountain, and now we really want to enjoy that view on top of that mountain,” McCarthy said before kick-off.
Kenya had already beaten Morocco and DR Congo earlier in the group, results that established them as the surprise package of the tournament.
Against Zambia, they showcased tactical maturity and resilience to secure a third victory in four matches, finishing with 10 points and just one goal conceded in the group stage.
For Zambia, the campaign ended in disappointment. The Chipolopolo, once a feared force in African football, bowed out after four straight defeats. Yet coach Avram Grant insisted there were positives to take from the experience.
“Our aim is to win,” Grant had said on the eve of the game. “Yes, this is our last game, unfortunately. But this tournament was very important for me and for all the staff. It’s a new team, and we wanted to see who is available for the national team.”
Despite showing flashes of quality, Zambia were unable to convert chances, with Kampamba himself and Prince Mumba both going close. Kenyan goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo stood firm, making key saves at crucial moments.
Kenya’s players were quick to salute the support that carried them to victory. Defender Daniel Sakari stressed the importance of the fans’ backing ahead of the game.
That support was evident in the closing stages, as Zambia pressed for an equaliser.
Shikhalo saved brilliantly from Kampamba late on, before Muchiri almost doubled the lead at the other end with a long-range strike that was tipped over.
With Kenya’s win and Morocco edging DR Congo, the Harambee Stars topped Group A with 10 points, Morocco followed closely with nine, while DR Congo’s six were not enough to progress.
Angola finished fourth on four points, and Zambia finished bottom with none.
Kenya will now remain in Nairobi for their quarter-final to face Madagascar, giving them both momentum and home advantage.
-CAF
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