CHAN 2016: Defending champions Libya eliminated; Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria progress

Published on: 26 October 2015
CHAN 2016: Defending champions Libya eliminated; Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria progress
Gabon

There will surely be a new champion for the third Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in Rwanda come January 2016.

This follows the failure of Libya to qualify from the Northern Africa Zone after two successive defeats; 0-1 to Tunisia and 0-4 to Morocco in three days.

A Saad Bguir late winner handed Tunisia a lone goal victory over neighbors, Libya in Rades before a goal each from Abdessalam Benjelloun, Abdessamad Lembarki, Rachid Housni and Mohamed Ounajem ensured victory for Morocco three days later at the same venue.

This implies that the Mediterranean Knights will not be party of the 16 finalists of the tournament designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues.

Tunisia and Morocco will therefore represent the Northern Zone.

It is the second time a reigning champion has failed to qualify.

Inaugural winners, Tunisia (2011) failed to make it to South Africa three years later to defend their crown.

Elsewhere, Nigeria, despite missing the services of their head coach, Sunday Oliseh (unspecified illness) progressed to after the goal-less draw away to Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou.

The Super Eagles had overcome Burkina Faso 2-0 in the southern city of Port Harcourt.

Angola defeated South Africa 2-0 away in Johannesburg to progress having lost the first leg at home 2-1.

South Africa were handicapped by the refusal of clubs to release stars, forcing the care taker coach, Thabo Senong to pick out-of-favour first and second division players.

Guinea secured a place at the African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament for the first time after three failed attempts at the expense of Senegal.

Hosts Senegal came from behind in the second leg to triumph 3-1, but were eliminated on away goals after losing the first leg 2-0 last weekend.

In Libreville, visiting Chad stunned hosts Gabon with a 1-0 win, but was not enough to prevent the Gabonese from qualification.

A 2-0 win from the first leg in N’djamena was enough for ‘Les Pantheres’ who went through 2-1 on aggregate.

Gabon joins DR Congo from the Central Zone. Congo and Cameroon will battle it out for the zone’s remaining slot on 31 October 2015 in Brazzaville.

The first leg in Yaounde ended barren.

The Uganda Cranes picked a 2-0 identical score-line home and away over the Sudan Falcons to seal a berth at the CHAN finals for the third time running.

Caesar Okhuti and team skipper scored Uganda's goals away from home.

Horn of Africa nation, Ethiopia humiliated visitors Burundi 3-0 in Addis Ababa to overturn the first leg 2-0 defeat.

Seyoum Tesfaye's 38th header gave the Walia stars a great start before a second half brace Gatoch Panom sealed the slot for coach Yohannes Sahle led side.

Ethiopia's qualification guarantees the CECAFA region three teams (Uganda and Rwanda the other) at the finals.

At the Machava stadium, the Zambian Chipolopolo Stars ensured qualification following a 4-1 victory on aggregate over Mozambique.

Festus Mbewe put the visitors in the lead with a 20th minute header.

Perhaps, Momed Hagi's penalty that followed a hand ball by Christopher Munthali meant the Mambas could only afford a one all draw to bow out 4-1 on aggregate since Zambia had won 3-0 at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium a week ago.

Winston Kalengo, Conlyde Luchanga and Spencer Sautu scored for Zambia in the first leg.

The two other second legs have been delayed until next week because of presidential elections in Ivory Coast and a presidency-related referendum in Congo Brazzaville.

The draw for the finals tournament will be held in Kigali on the 18th November 2015.

The final tournament will be held from 16 January to 7 February 2016 in Rwanda.

Successful Teams So Far:

Rwanda (Hosts), Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, Gabon, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola, Gabon, DR Congo,Tunisia and Morocco

 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more