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CHAN 2025: Ahmed Musa misses out of Nigeria CHAN Squad

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Back at home Ahmed Musa is a conspicuous absentee as Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen named the squad that will face Ghana in the qualification for the 2025 African Nations Cup Championship (CHAN).

Ahmed Musa recently moved to the local league and has been on fire since rejoining Kano Pillars.

Eguavoen has called to camp Remo Stars’ wing-back Ismail Sadiq, Kano Pillars’ forward Zikifilu Rabiu and Enugu Rangers’ attacking midfielder Kazeem Ogunleye among a list of 35 players of Super Eagles B for the 2025 CHAN qualifying fixture against Ghana.

The first leg of the fixture, which is a reminder of the qualification series for the last edition of the competition, which Ghana edged on a penalty shootout, is billed for the weekend of 20th – 22nd December, with the return leg a week later.

The winner over two legs will earn a slot at the 8th edition of the competition exclusively reserved for footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic League. The finals will take place across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, 1st – 28th February 2025.

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Akwa United’s Wisdom Ndom, Enugu Rangers’ Saviour Isaac, Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors’ Abba Maigari are also invited to the camp that will open in Abuja on Tuesday, 29th October.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Ohisodumeya Osagie (Rivers United); Henry Ozomena (Enyimba FC); Mohammed Galadima (Nasarawa United)

Defenders: Wisdom Ndom (Akwa United); Stephen Mayo (Rivers United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers); Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars); Yusuf Isa (Bayelsa United); Abba Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Kabiru Mohammed (Kwara United); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Abbas Usman (El-Kanemi Warriors);

Midfielders: Innocent Godwin (Abia Warriors); Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Musa Zayad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers); Eze Ekwutoziam (Enyimba FC); Aimufua Aisosa (Kwara United); Tochukwu Michael (Remo Stars); Ifeanyi Assurance (Lobi Stars); Kazeem Ogunleye (Enugu Rangers); Seth Mayi (Sunshine Stars); Stanley Oganbor (Lobi Stars); Meyiwa Oritseweyimi (Bendel Insurance); Toyeeb Gidado (Ikorodu City)

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Forwards: Samuel Ayorinde (Shooting Stars); Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Abdul Sanusi (El-Kanemi Warriors); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Abubakar Adamu (Plateau United); Rabiu Zikifilu (Kano Pillars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Michael Enaruma (Bendel Insurance)

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Egypt’s expected debut in CHAN fails after home crash to South Africa

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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.

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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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CHAN 2025: Gambia survives as Gabon crashes out after penalty heartbreak

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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.

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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 secure vital away draw against South Africa in CHAN 2025 qualifier

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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.

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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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