Morocco began their quest for a third African Nations Championship (CHAN) title with a solid 2-0 victory over Angola in the Group A opener at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

Imad Riahi’s spectacular long-range strike in the first half and a second-half own goal from Angola’s Kinito sealed a deserved win for the Atlas Lions in a contest they largely dominated.

The CHAN, which features only players plying their trade in their domestic leagues, saw Morocco once again demonstrate their pedigree in a tournament they have won twice—in 2018 and 2020.

With a revamped squad and high expectations, Morocco came into the match looking to extend their 13-match unbeaten run in the competition.

Head coach Tarik Sektioui’s side wasted no time asserting their authority, dictating the tempo from the outset.

After a few early chances and corners, Morocco broke the deadlock in the 29th minute.

A precise through ball from Mohamed Hrimat found Riahi, who made no mistake from outside the box, unleashing a powerful right-footed effort that beat Angolan goalkeeper Neblú at the centre of the goal.

The Atlas Lions continued to press for a second with Riahi, Anas Bach, and Marouane Louadni all forcing fine saves from Neblú in a flurry of attacks before the break.

Angola, who had never won an opening match in four previous CHAN appearances, responded with moments of danger, particularly through Jó Paciência and Aguinaldo Matias, but Morocco’s goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar stood firm.

In the second half, the North Africans remained in control. Angola made several changes to inject life into their attack, but it was Morocco who doubled their advantage in the 81st minute.

Substitute Youness El Kaabi, making an instant impact, broke free down the left and saw his shot parried by Neblú into the path of Kinito, who inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net under pressure.

Despite some late attempts by Angola, including a long-range effort from Mafuta, Morocco’s defence remained resolute, with captain Hrimat marshalling the backline effectively.

The result extends Morocco’s unbeaten record in CHAN group stages and sends an early statement of intent to the rest of the competition.

Angola, meanwhile, are now winless in five CHAN matches and face an uphill task to qualify from a competitive Group A.

Morocco will next face tournament co-hosts Kenya, while Angola must regroup ahead of their clash with Zambia.

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Kenya marked their long-awaited debut at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a statement 1-0 victory over two-time champions DR Congo at a sold-out Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on Sunday.

Austin Odhiambo’s first-half strike proved decisive in a tightly-contested Group A opener that saw the hosts overcome a nervy start and assert their place on the continental stage in front of an electric home crowd.

The TotalEnergies CHAN is a biennial tournament exclusively reserved for players who compete in their country’s domestic leagues, offering a platform for emerging local talents to shine—and Kenya’s new generation did not disappoint.

After a disallowed goal for DR Congo in the fifth minute—Jephté Kitambala’s strike ruled out for offside following a VAR review—Kenya settled into the match, buoyed by vocal support from 60,000 fans in the stands.

Despite DR Congo dominating early possession, the hosts remained disciplined and grew into the game.

The breakthrough came just before the break when Odhiambo latched onto a pass from David Sakwa in the 45+2 minute, coolly guiding a left-footed shot into the bottom corner beyond Brudel Efonge.

It was a goal that lifted the roof off the stadium and symbolised a changing of the guard—Kenya, making their CHAN finals debut, had taken the lead against one of the tournament’s most successful sides.

DR Congo, who had failed to score in the 2022 edition and were determined to rewrite the script under Otis Ngoma, pushed for an equaliser in the second half.

They dominated set-pieces and came close through headers from Jonathan Mokonzi and Kitambala, but Kenya’s defence held firm.

Goalkeeper Byrne Omondi made a crucial save in the 59th minute, tipping Heltone Kayembe’s powerful drive over the bar, while defenders Sylvester Owino and Alphonce Omija repelled a late barrage of Congolese corners.

Kenya’s head coach Benni McCarthy made a series of tactical substitutions to shore up the midfield and protect the lead, introducing the likes of Mike Kibwage and Marvin Nabwire to steady the team in the final 15 minutes.

Seven minutes of stoppage time tested Kenyan nerves, but the hosts held on to register a memorable first-ever CHAN victory, becoming only the third debutant nation to win their opening match in the tournament’s history.

For DR Congo, the defeat extends their winless run in the competition to five matches, leaving them with plenty to do in their remaining Group A fixtures.

Kenya next face Angola on Thursday, while DR Congo will seek redemption against Morocco.

-CAFonline

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Madagascar and Mauritania played out a tense 0-0 draw on Sunday evening at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, as both sides opened their Group B campaign at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024.

The result means both teams remain level in a competitive five-team group, where an early win would have provided vital momentum.

 Despite plenty of endeavour and moments of promise from both teams, neither could find the decisive touch in a contest that saw more fouls than fluid football.

The CHAN tournament, reserved exclusively for players competing in their respective domestic leagues, has served as a launching pad for several stars.

Both sides came into this match with aspirations of progression, especially Madagascar who reached the semi-finals in 2022 and Mauritania, who are making their fourth appearance.

Madagascar, led by coach Romuald Rakotondrabe and captained by experienced midfielder Andriamirado “Dax” Andrianarimanana, started brightly.

Dax tested the Mauritanian defence early with a long-range effort that went just wide, but his evening was cut short in the 39th minute after picking up a second yellow card—leaving the Barea to play over 50 minutes with 10 men.

Even so, the Malagasy side, semi-finalists in 2022 and bronze medal winners, remained tactically disciplined.

Goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa was a standout figure, making several crucial saves including a sharp stop to deny Mohamed Hawbott in the opening minutes and another late effort from Moulaye Al Khalil.

Mauritania, who have never won an opening CHAN match in their history, dominated possession after the red card and looked the more likely side to find a breakthrough.

 Moctar El Hacen came closest in stoppage time, but his curled effort from outside the box drifted just wide of the top corner.

Head coach Aritz López Garai had hoped for a statement performance from his charges, but while the Mourabitounes showed improved organisation and pressed high in the second half, their final delivery let them down.

Mauritania’s long-standing struggle in front of goal at CHAN continued—they’ve now failed to score in all four of their tournament openers.

Madagascar, who had won all but one of their matches at the 2022 edition, will be slightly disappointed with the draw, especially after a promising first half.

But given the circumstances of going a man down, they will take heart from the resilience shown by the team, particularly in the back line.

With Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic still to play in the group, both sides will know there is little margin for error. The result leaves Group B delicately poised.

Burkina Faso return to action against CAR, while Mauritania face Tanzania in what could prove pivotal in determining quarter-final hopefuls.

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