By Victor Kanayo
Niger and Sudan have now become the first nations to book their places in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
For Niger, their ticket to feature in the competition by February 2025, only made for players who ply their professional trade in their home countries, became a reality after a goalless draw against Togo in their second-leg encounter on Friday.
The Mena A’ side advanced on the away goals rule, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg played in Lomé.
The match, held at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali, saw both teams produce a cautious performance.
The result ensures Niger’s fifth appearance in the CHAN finals, cementing their status as one of the competition’s consistent performers.
Consistent Package
Earlier, Sudan were the very first to secure a spot in the eighth edition of CHAN.
They got the ticket following a resilient 2-1 victory over Ethiopia in their second-leg clash.
The result, combined with a 2-0 win in the first leg, saw the Nile Crocodiles comfortably advance 4-1 on aggregate to play in the tournament.
Sudan’s consistency throughout the qualifiers was evident, as they maintained control over both legs to secure back-to-back CHAN appearances.
Sudan now look ahead to February’s tournament, co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, where they hope to make a significant impact.
Battle for Other Spots
As the qualifiers continue, nine additional teams are set to be decided on Saturday.
Key fixtures include Burkina Faso’s bid to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon’s attempt to maintain their slim advantage over the Central African Republic.
Nigeria, after playing a goalless draw against Ghana in Accra, will keep a date with the Galaxies in the return leg fixture in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
Then, the final four spots for the CHAN 2024 tournament will be determined on Sunday, with Mali looking to recover from a 1-0 loss in their first-leg clash against Mauritania.
The eagerly anticipated tournament will take place from 1 to 28 February 2025. can c
