Drama Unfolds in CHAN 2024 Qualifiers: First Leg Results Announced

The first matches of the last stage of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifications were exciting, with teams competing for a berth in next year's championship.

In a West African match, Côte d'Ivoire won 2-0 against Burkina Faso at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Oumar Konaté scored both goals, making Côte d'Ivoire strong contenders for the next game in Bamako.

Sudan also had a good result with a 2-0 win away to Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Mauritania beat Mali 1-0 in a close game. In another match, Cameroon won 1-0 away to the Central African Republic.

South Sudan won a high-scoring game, beating Rwanda 3-2. Goals from Malish Mandela, Ezibon, and an early own goal by Nsabimana gave South Sudan the victory, but Rwanda's strong comeback keeps them in the running for the next match in Kigali.

Liberia held defending champions Senegal to a 1-1 draw in Monrovia. Seydina Mbaye's goal was cancelled out by Bility's late equalizer, resulting in a crucial return match in Dakar.

As attention turns to the second-leg encounters beginning December 25, teams will fight for a spot in CHAN 2024, set to be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in February.

Results Summary

Saturday, 21 December 2024:

• Lesotho 0-2 Angola
• Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Congo
• Mozambique 0-3 Zambia
• Eswatini 0-2 Madagascar
• Chad 1-1 DR Congo

Sunday, 22 December 2024:

• South Sudan 3-2 Rwanda
• Central African Republic 0-1 Cameroon
• Ethiopia 0-2 Sudan
• Ghana 0-0 Nigeria
• Côte d'Ivoire 2-0 Burkina Faso
• Liberia 1-1 Senegal
• Togo 1-1 Niger
• Mauritania 1-0 Mali