The road to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) continued with a series of gripping encounters as countries fought for their spot in the upcoming tournament. The latest round of fixtures brought excitement, drama, and surprises, with underdogs rising. Here’s a wrap-up of the day’s key matches:
Burundi 3-0 Somalia: A Commanding Victory
In the opening match of the day, Burundi showcased their attacking prowess in a commanding 3-0 win over Somalia. Right from the start, Burundi dominated possession and launched wave after wave of attacks. It wasn’t long before their efforts paid off to give Burundi a 1-0 lead.
Somalia struggled to cope with Burundi’s high press and quick transitions, leading to a second goal just. Burundi maintained their pressure and put the game beyond Somalia’s reach when the third goal. The result puts Burundi in a strong position for qualification as they eye the next stage of the competition.
Togo 2-0 Benin: A Battle of the West African Rivals
In a tense West African clash, Togo emerged victorious with a solid 2-0 win over Benin. The game was fiercely contested, with both sides eager to gain bragging rights over their regional rivals. The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Asko’s midfielder, Abalo, scored the first goal.
Benin fought hard to find an equalizer, but Togo’s defense held firm, denying their attackers any clear chances. As the game progressed, Togo’s counter-attacking approach paid off when they doubled their lead in the 94th minute to seal the game at 2-0 leaving Benin with much to ponder before their next encounter.
Lesotho 1-0 Namibia: A Tight Affair
Lesotho edged out Namibia in a closely-fought contest, with a solitary goal being the difference. Both teams played with discipline and caution, but Lesotho was the first to score and that was the only goal in a cagey first half. The goal was scored in the 21st minute by Kalake from Bantu United.
Despite Namibia’s late attempts to salvage a point, Lesotho’s defense held strong, securing a hard-earned victory and giving them a crucial advantage in their quest for CHAN qualification.
Djibouti 1-0 Rwanda: An Upset in the Horn of Africa
The biggest shock of the day came in Djibouti, where the hosts pulled off a stunning 1-0 win against Rwanda. Rwanda came into the match as favorites, but Djibouti displayed resilience and tenacity from the outset. The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Djibouti’s forward, found the back of the net with a powerful shot that left the Rwandan goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Rwanda pushed hard for an equalizer, but Djibouti’s defense, backed by an inspired performance from their goalkeeper, held on to claim a famous victory. The result leaves Rwanda with an uphill task in the return leg as they aim to turn their fortunes around.
South Sudan 2-0 Kenya: An interesting Win
In what could be described as one of the most significant results in South Sudan’s football history, the Bright Stars defeated Kenya 2-0 in a match filled with passion and pride. South Sudan came out of the gates with intent, pressing high and testing the Kenyan defense. The first half ended with no side scoring. Their efforts were rewarded in the 50th minute when Wajo from Jamus FC in South Sudan forward scored, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
Kenya struggled to respond, and South Sudan sealed the victory in the 68th minute through Juma also from Jumas FC, a defensive midfielder. The result marks a joyous moment for South Sudanese football, as they move closer to their dream of CHAN qualification.
Zimbabwe 0-3 Eswatini: Eswatini’s Dominance
Eswatini delivered a clinical performance to secure a convincing 3-0 victory over Zimbabwe. Despite playing away from home, Eswatini looked confident and composed throughout the match.
Zimbabwe tried to rally, but Eswatini’s organized defense thwarted their efforts.
Sierra Leone 1-2Liberia : Fiercely contested
Liberia took a giant step with a 2-1 win going into the game. the two sides in a cagey encounter ended the first half with a goal apiece. In the second half, Liberia clinched the last goal to make it 2-1.
Sudan 1-0 Tanzania: A Late Winner
In the final match of the day, Sudan edged past Tanzania with a narrow 1-0 win in a game that was tightly contested from start to finish. Both sides created opportunities, but the defenses were resolute, keeping the score line level for most of the match.
The decisive moment came early in the 23rd minute when Sudan’s midfielder, Abdel Rahman, latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired it into the net, sparking celebrations in the stands. Tanzania pressed forward in search of an equalizer, but Sudan’s defense held strong, securing a crucial victory in their bid to reach CHAN.
The first leg of the CHAN qualifiers was filled with excitement, as some teams took significant strides toward their dream of qualification, while others were left reeling from unexpected setbacks. With several second-leg matches on the horizon, the race to CHAN is heating up.
