Niger and Sudan have qualified for the 2024 TotalEnergies CHAN. Niger secured their spot through a goalless draw against Togo, advancing via the away goals rule. Sudan earned their qualification with a 2-1 victory over Ethiopia, resulting in a 4-1 aggregate score. The tournament is scheduled for February 2025, co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, showcasing local talent in African football.
Niger has secured its place in the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) following a goalless draw against Togo in the second leg of their qualifying match on Friday. This result allowed the Mena A’ side to advance on the away goals rule, having previously drawn the first leg 1-1 in Lomé. The match took place at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali, showcasing a cautious performance from both teams.
Despite their best efforts, Togo’s local Sparrowhawks could not break through and overcome the slight advantage held by Niger. This qualification marks Niger’s fifth appearance at the CHAN finals, affirming their reputation as a consistent performer in the competition. Meanwhile, Sudan became the first team to qualify for the 2024 CHAN after a determined 2-1 victory over Ethiopia in their second leg on Wednesday.
Sudan’s earlier 2-0 win in the first leg allowed them to advance comfortably with a 4-1 aggregate score. The Nile Crocodiles displayed strong intent, opening the scoring in the 16th minute with a goal from Musa Kanti. Despite some pressure from Ethiopia, who managed to equalize in the 65th minute through Bekele Berhane, Sudan quickly regained the lead thanks to a goal by their captain, Mohamed Abdelrahman, just four minutes later.
Ethiopia’s determined effort ultimately fell short as they could not overturn the first-leg deficit. This marks Sudan’s fourth qualification for the CHAN, showcasing consistent performance throughout the qualifiers. Looking ahead, Sudan aims to make a significant impact at the tournament, which will take place from February 1 to 28, 2025, co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
As the qualification process is ongoing, nine more teams are set to qualify on Saturday. Key matches include Burkina Faso’s attempt to reverse a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon’s efforts to maintain their narrow lead over the Central African Republic. The final four qualification spots will be determined on Sunday, with Mali hoping to recover from a 1-0 loss in their first leg against Mauritania.
The CHAN tournament, designed exclusively for players competing in domestic leagues, serves as an important platform for highlighting local talent on the continent.
In summary, Niger and Sudan have successfully qualified for the 2024 TotalEnergies CHAN after impressive performances in their respective matches. Niger advanced through the away goals rule, ensuring their continued presence in the finals, while Sudan showcased strong form to comfortably secure their place. As the tournament approaches, anticipation builds with more teams aiming for qualification, demonstrating the competitive spirit within African football.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
