CHAN
Africa U-17 Nations Cup in Algeria under threat as Morocco appeal CAF’s inaction against Algeria’s hostility
More troubles brew in CAF as the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) is set to appeal the CAF decision on the Algeria’s prevention of Morocco from defending their African Nations Championship title in Algeria last month.
Last Saturday, CAF’s Disciplinary Committee absolved Morocco of any blame for their inability to feature in the tournament that is designed for home-based players and dismised Algeria’s claim for damages, but was silent on possible sanction on Algeria.
A retaliatory action is now being feared as Morocco could boycott the U17 Africa Cup of Nations which Algeria will host next month.
According to Morocco World News, the kingdom has announced its decision to appeal the inaction from CAF against Algeria’s hostile acts during the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
President of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, announced the news, stressing Morocco’s dissatisfaction with CAF’s decision.
CAF in its statement at the weekend stressed that the provisions of “strict liability” could not have been “foreseen and should not apply arising out of the statement made by Zwelivelile Mandela, a grandson of the legendry Nelson Mandela during the opening ceremony of CHAN.”
CAF merely sent a “formal reminder” to theAlgerian Football Federation to be “aware of the provisions of vicarious liability and strict liability that may be applied in the future as a result of any political statements.”
Earlier this year, Algeria deprived Morocco’s team of participating in CHAN by refusing to allow the Atlas Lions to fly directly from Rabat to Constantine.
Algeria’s regime also invited Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Zwelivelile Mandela, who delivered an anti-Moroccan speech that challenged Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara. At the opening ceremony, Algerian fans were seen chanting anti-Morocco slogans.
In response to CAF’s low-key action against Algeria, Lekjaa stressed that CAF mentioned that Morocco is not responsible for not taking part in the competition. However the official body failed to state who would be held responsible for the team’s non-participation.
“We are not satisfied with CAF’s decision and we will appeal,” Lekjaa said, describing the anti-Morocco rhetoric as “unreasonable.”
“It is unreasonable that our team is prevented from defending its title and Moroccan fans are insulted with obscene remarks and racist remarks during the opening ceremony and in the presence of senior CAF officials,” he said.
He also condemned hostile remarks made against Morocco, stressing that Zwelivile’s speech “carries hatred and targets us.”
CAF’s Saturday statement acknowledged that the Atlas Lions were deprived of their rights to participate in the competition.
The confederation’s Disciplinary Committee concluded that FRMF was unable to travel and participate in the CHAN “due to circumstances totally beyond their control, and as such no sanction of whatsoever nature is imposed on the Royal Moroccan Federation.”
The board also dismissed the Algerian Football Federation’s claim for damages.
Lekjaa stressed that Morocco’s U17 team is also ready to boycott the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON)) which will take place in April in Algeria, if the Atlas Lions are not allowed to fly directly to the host country.
“The U17 national team will not participate in the next AFCON if we do not take a direct flight as indicated by CAF regulations,” he concluded.
The valuable away goal that Egypt scored in the first leg of their CHAN qualifiers with South Africa counted for nothing as they crumbled miserably 3-1 at home on Sunday.
Although the Africa Nations Championship is on its eighth edition, Egypt, a record seven times Africa Cup of Nations winner, has never featured in the CHAN.
Egypt’s hopes of qualifying for the first time in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) ended abruptly after a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to South Africa at the Suez Canal Stadium.
Having secured a vital 1-1 draw in the first leg away in South Africa last Sunday, courtesy of Mohamed Antar’s volley, Egypt failed to build on their away-goal advantage and succumbed to a 4-2 aggregate defeat.
South Africa started aggressively, hitting Egypt’s post through Craig Weaver in the fourth minute before eventually taking the lead ten minutes later. Maema capitalized on a defensive error inside the penalty area, slotting home comfortably to put the visitors ahead.
Egypt survived another scare in the 24th minute when Maema’s shot again hit the woodwork. Just three minutes later, however, Mfolozi doubled South Africa’s lead after a deflected cross fell kindly at his feet for an easy finish.
Mohamed El-Sayed briefly reignited Egyptian hopes, reducing the deficit with a deft finish from a precise cross delivered by Sayed Abdullah in the 31st minute, making the halftime score 2-1.
The hosts’ chances of mounting a comeback faded shortly after the restart when goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Al-Saud conceded a penalty for fouling a South African forward. Luthuli confidently converted the resulting penalty in the 51st minute, restoring the two-goal cushion.
Despite tactical adjustments and several attacking substitutions by Egypt, the home side struggled to threaten South Africa’s composed defense. South Africa comfortably controlled the remainder of the match, securing their passage to the next round.
South Africa will now face Malawi, who advanced by overcoming Comoros with a decisive 4-0 aggregate victory.
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Gabon’s hopes of progressing in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers were dashed as they suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Gambia after a goalless draw in Libreville on Saturday.
Despite dominating the second-leg match of the second qualification stage and creating numerous scoring chances, the Panthers failed to find the net, ultimately paying the price in the shootout.
The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Gabon was awarded a penalty, but Samson Mbingui failed to convert, leaving the Scorpions with a lifeline.
With the match still deadlocked at 0-0 after regulation time, the contest went to a penalty shootout, where Gambia kept their composure to secure victory and advance to the next round.
The Scorpions converted all their attempts, while Gabon’s Nasta Oyono missed his shot, sending his effort wide and sealing his team’s elimination.
Elsewhere, Malawi advanced thanks to their 2-0 home win over Comoros to seal a 4-0 aggregate victory.
Wongani Lungu opened in the scoring for the home side in the 50th minute before Binwell Katinji’s strike on the hour mark secured the win.
First Leg Results:
- Gambia 0-0 Gabon (February 28, 2025)
- Comoros 0-2 Malawi (March 2, 2025)
- South Africa 1-1 Egypt (March 2, 2025)
Second Leg Fixtures:
- Malawi 2-0 Comoros – March 8, 2025 Malawi win 4-0 on aggregate
- Gabon 0-0 Gambia – March 8, 2025 – Gambia win on penalties
- Egypt vs. South Africa – March 9, 2025 | 19:30 GMT
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Egypt’s local national team claimed a crucial away goal after drawing 1-1 with South Africa in the first leg of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers at Free State Stadium on Sunday.
Mohamed Antar put Egypt ahead in the 66th minute with a well-taken volley before South Africa’s Jamie Webber equalized with a powerful strike 14 minutes from time.
The Pharaohs started cautiously, prioritizing defensive stability, while the hosts struggled to break through. South Africa’s first real threat came early in the eighth minute when Monnapule Saleng tested goalkeeper Mahmoud Abou El-Saoud from a distance.
Both sides lacked fluency in the first half, so the teams went into the break level at 0-0. After the restart, Egypt capitalized on a defensive mistake, with Antar firing home to give the visitors a crucial lead.
However, South Africa responded strongly, with Webber unleashing a long-range effort that found the top corner, denying Egypt a first-leg victory.
The result leaves Egypt in a strong position, with the away goal offering a slight advantage ahead of the second leg, scheduled for 9 March in Cairo.
A goalless draw would be enough to send Egypt into the final qualifying round. In this round, they would face either Comoros or Malawi for a place at CHAN 2025, which will be held in August in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
-Ahram
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