Soccer
Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Zambia, and Rwanda have booked their spots at the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) slated to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda next year, Soccernet.ng reports.
After earning a goalless draw in the first leg in Accra last week, Nigeria secured a 3-1 win in Uyo on Saturday to seal their place at the CHAN.
Goals from Remo Stars defender Sadiq Ismail, captain Nduka Junior and Saviour Isaac all in the first half dwarfed Stephen Amankona’s consolation strike for the Black Galaxies.
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Nigeria’s last appearance at the CHAN was in 2018 when the home-based Super Eagles finished as runners-up behind host Morocco.
Games were played at other venues with the biggest upset recorded at the Stade Omnisports de Bafoussam, where the Central African Republic edged past Cameroon via the away goals rule.
Cameroon did their ambitions a world of good when they defeated the CAR 1-0 away from home last week. But the return leg on home soil turned into a nightmare as the Central African Republic recorded a 2-1 win to advance with final scores at two-all.
Congo DR followed their 1-1 draw in the first leg with a 3-1 win over Chad in the return fixture to seal a convincing 4-2 aggregate triumph.
Reigning African champions Cote d’Ivoire will not be represented at the AFCON after they were edged out on penalties by Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso had a huge mountain to climb after losing the first tie 2-0 in Abidjan but the Stallions returned the favour in the second leg before edging to a 4-2 win the subsequent penalty shootout.
Reigning CHAN kings Senegal will be on ground to defend their title after claiming a 4-1 aggregate win over Liberia.
Rwanda are also through to the tournament after securing a 2-1 home win over South Sudan.
The Rwandans lost 3-2 when the two teams met last week but they advance on away goals rule after the tie ended in 4-4 draw.
Angola surprisingly lost 1-0 at home to Lesotho but the Palancas Negras progressed as their 2-0 away win from the first tie earned them the right to participate at CHAN 2024.
It would be recalled that Zambia have already qualified for the tournament, joining co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Zambians were granted automatic qualification for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship CHAN following the withdrawal of Mozambique from the qualifiers.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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