2021 Chan – Sports Africa

2021 CHAN: Nobody should underrate Zambia – Micho

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Zambia tactician Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic insists his charges have what it takes to defeat defending champions Morocco and seal semi-final berth in African Nations Championship (Chan).

Chipolopolo finished second in Group D to set a date with the Atlas Lions in the semis to be played on Sunday. Micho admits their opponents are a quality team but insists his team will give the best.

“Everyone has a right to count us off but we believe that we have what it takes to progress from the quarterfinals,” the former Uganda Cranes coach said ahead of the game.

“With all due respect to Morocco, they are a top team, they are favourites, they are defending champions and whatsoever. Let them take the role of the favourites, we are who we are, we shall come with the same approach, giving our best.”

Zambia drew 0-0 with Namibia in their final Group game. A win would have helped them avoid Morocco.

“It is not easy to play against a team that has no pressure but has the intention to be party spoilers in away. They have proudly played for their country and I give them credit to the coach and his team,” the Serbian continued.

“We need to critically look at ourselves why from 20 attempts, not even one could finish where it is supposed to finish. This is now something that we need to look at critically and we need to correct all this before playing the quarterfinal match.”

Wait for us! Tanzania follow Uganda home from Chan

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Tanzania have followed their neighbours Uganda out of the African Nations Championship after sharing the spoils with Guinea in the 2-2 draw at the Réunification Stadium, Douala on Wednesday night.

Taifa Stars had to win the game to finish in the top two positions in Group D and seal progression to the quarter finals.

However, they were shocked inside the first three minutes. Mohamed Traore’s effort was parried out by the custodian for a corner. The defender handled the resulting corner and the referee had no option but hand the National Elephants a penalty.

Yakhouba Gnagna Barry rose to the occasion, sending Aishi Manula the wrong way for the opening goal.

But Stars equalized in the 23rd minute. The West Africans failed to deal with a dangerous ball in their area and it eventually fell to Baraka Majogoro just outside the box. The midfielder unleashed a shot which the goalkeeper just watched as it found the back of the net.

With 20 minutes to full time, Stars took the lead for the first time in the game. They won a corner which was brought in well by Yanga SC star Feisal Salum. Namungo FC striker Edward Manyama rose highest to head home.

Guineans replied with a series of attacks and were rewarded in the 81st minute after Traore’s header was confirmed by Victor Kantabadouno to send his team into the next round.

Zambia finished second after a goalless draw against Namibia.

As a result, Guinea will play Rwanda in the quarters while the defending champions Morocco will tackle Zambia.

‘A little injury’ not a problem! Zambia comes first – Chibwe

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Zambia custodian Allan Chibwe has insisted a knock cannot deny him the opportunity to represent his country in the Chan competition going on in Cameroon.

The experienced goalkeeper picked up a knock in Chipolopolo’s 1-1 draw with Guinea. While many expected him to be substituted after the break, it never happened and he has explained why.

“God has granted me this opportunity to maximize my potential to the fullest,” Chibwe told reporters ahead of their game with Namibia on Wednesday.

“For me, I thought [the injury] was not that bad but at the end of the first half, the doctor told me how severe it was.

“I just want to fight for my nation and position and at this stage, I have worked so hard to have this position and opportunity to convince the coach that I can do better than what I am doing now and a small knock cannot take me out of the game.”

The Power Dynamos goalkeeper has opined on the game against the Brave Warriors which might ensure they win Group D.

“We have a coach and he will come up with a plan on how to get three points against Namibia,” Chibwe continued.

“We will go to training and work hard and come up with a plan to defeat Namibia.

“We are expecting a tough match like what happened in the [2018 edition] where we drew against them. We are looking forward to winning against them this time and top the group to meet the second-placed team from [Group C].”

Zambia and Guinea are on four points each while Tanzania are third with as many points. Namibia have no point.

I want to win Chan at home – Jacques Zoua

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Cameroon captain Jacques Zoua has set his sight on winning the African Nations Championship (Chan) at home.

The central African nation is hosting the biennial competition hoping to use the tournament to shape their players ahead of Afcon qualifiers as well as the World Cup qualifiers and the 29-year-old forward is impressed with the way his team has started the competition.

They defeated Zimbabwe by a solitary goal before drawing 1-1 with Mali.

“I think we started the tournament in the best possible way,” Zoua told CAFonline.

“Four points in two games is a good start. We have developed great football, and this is only the beginning.”

The striker, who won the 2017 Afcon title with the senior Indomitable team, explains how he managed to make it to Cameroon squad for the competition which is meant for the locally based players.

“I returned to Cameroon when the pandemic began,” Zoua added

“After terminating my contract with Astra Giurgiu în Romania, I decided to sign with a local club. This is how I could help my country at Chan and fulfill our people’s dream of winning the tournament.”

By virtue of playing a starring role for Cameroon in 2017 Afcon, the striker is seen as one of the stars in 2021 Chan and he has revealed how it has impacted him.

“This gives me great pleasure. It gives me strength and will to give my all for my team and my country.”

Uganda set to welcome captain Lwaliwa ahead of Togo game

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Uganda camp has received a major boost after coach Jonathan McKinstry confirmed defender Halid Lwaliwa will be available to play Togo in their next Group C Chan game.

The defender missed the opening 0-0 draw against neighbours Rwanda on Monday. The tactician has explained the reason why he was not selected and the chances he will play the Sparrowhawks.

“[Lwaliwa] missed out through a small injury,” McKinstry said ahead of the Friday game.

“He had a little strain on his hamstring a couple of days before the match.

“It was a small thing but we did not want to rush him. The decision we arrived at with the medical team together with the player was he misses the first game and be ready for the remaining games.

“We are hopeful in the upcoming games he will be ready. We are speaking to the doctors and he will be taking part in… training session.”

Morocco lead the group with maximum points after an opening 1-0 win over Togo.

While Uganda will be tackling the Sparrowhawks in their Friday night game, Rwanda will be playing the defending champions hoping to continue with their fine form.

Zambia hit Tanzania to break CHAN’s poor scoring record

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Zambia became the first team to score more than a goal in the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

The Chipolopolo beat Tanzania 2-0 in the first match of the Group D staged in the City of Limbe, Tuesday.

Four of the last six games ended in a one-nil win for holders Morocco, hosts Cameroon, Mali and DR Congo, while Libya, Niger, Rwanda and Uganda all settled for a scoreless draw.

Skipper Collins Sikombe and Emmanuel Chabula goals’ in the second half means that Tanzania became the first team to soak in the highest number of goals in a single match in the ongoing campaign.

Sikombe converted a second-half penalty in the 63rd minute before handing over the scoring boots to Chabula who sweetly volleyed the second goal with nine minutes left on the board.

Zambia could have won the match by a wider margin had Chabula not flopped in the box with the goalkeeper completely beaten, with a quarter of an hour still left on the clock.

Zambia will play Guinea in their next group match on Saturday while Tanzania take on Namibia in the day’s other game.

CHAN: Niger hold former champs Libya, DR Congo squeeze win over Congo

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It was another day of a low scoring results on Day 2 of the Africa Nations Championship as Niger held former champions Libya to a goalless draw with two-time winner DR Congo squeezing a slim 1-0 victory over neighbours Congo Brazzaville.

Libya went into the game as firm favourites, but they will have to rue wasted chances as they settled for a point against the West Africans who surprised their opponents with a swift attacking display at the iconic Japoma Stadium.

Libya will have an uphill task when they face DR Congo in the next game.

The central Africa country benefited from a TP Mazembe Chico Kubanza’s effort as he scored the only goal of day two and Group B Sunday.

Kubanza also became the first scorer of a goal in a competitive match at the iconic Japoma Stadium in Douala.

So far, just three goals have been scored in the bi-annual competition, ironically, non has come from a striker.

Cameroon beat Zimbabwe by a solitary goal in the opening match Saturday with Mali also seeing off Burkina Faso by the same margin.

Niger will return to the pitch on Thursday in search of a maiden victory when they face Congo, another side yet to register even a single goal in this tournament.

Meanwhile, defending champions Morocco will step to the pitch today when they take on Togo as Rwanda clash with Uganda in the East African derby.

McKinstry targeting bragging rights for Uganda vs Rwanda at Chan

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Uganda Cranes head coach Jonathan McKinstry insists his team has to win the game against Rwanda in their Group C opener in Chan to get the bragging rights.

The two neighbours are scheduled to clash on Monday, with the winner being in better position to seal the knockout phase. The Northern Irish tactician will be coming against his former team and he believes the game will not be easy.

“It is a big derby game to start the tournament with, Uganda and Rwanda are old rivals and that means a lot for the players,” McKinstry told the Fufa media team.

“For them they know it is not only about three points and the path towards qualification to the next round, but they also know it is about local bragging rights in the region.

“We feel we know where their strengths are and we are making sure we are covering up for those in the coming few training sessions,” McKinstry continued.

“It is not about doing anything new, it is about focusing on our one or two specific areas of our own style that we feel will bring maximum advantage.

“For me obviously, it is my first time coming up against Rwanda. My hard look at the squad and 18 out of 30 players played for me several years ago.

“It is a very experienced squad but hopefully my knowledge of some of the players can aid Ugandan calls in getting the results that everyone back at home and everyone here is desperate for.”

After playing Amavubi on Monday, Cranes will play defending champions Morocco on January 22 before finishing up wit Togo on January 26.

Morocco arrive for CHAN title defence

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Defending champions Morocco arrived in Yaounde Thursday as hosts Cameroon and Zimbabwe prepares to kick off the sixth edition of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) Saturday.

Morocco is in a tough group C together with Uganda, who left Kampala on Thursday, neighbours Rwanda and Togo.

Morocco became the first team to host and successfully win the annual event in 2018.

The Atlas Lions will be going all out for a back-to-back silverware at the event that is preserved for players plying their trade in their respective domestic African leagues.

The North Africans are the most experienced side in the tournament having participated in four of the last five editions.

Interestingly, they had not made it past the quarter finals, except in 2014, only to go all the way to the top podium finish four years later.

They will open their title defence against Togo on Monday, January 18 then takes on Rwanda with a final group match against Uganda penciled for January 26.

Host Cameroon will be looking for a positive start before home fans when they take on Zimbabwe on Saturday, as Mali and Burkina Faso square it out in another fixture of the opening day.

The second day will see Libya and Niger as well as DR Congo and Congo Brazzaville tackle each other in that order.

Day three will be an equally be an interesting one as Rwanda takes on Uganda in the East Africa derby.

Day 1 (Saturday) fixtures

Cameroon Vs Zimbabwe

Burkina Faso Vs Mali

Day 2 (Sunday) fixtures

Libya Vs Niger

Congo Vs DR Congo

Day 3 (Monday) fixtures

Morocco Vs Togo

Rwanda Vs Uganda

Zimbabwe given green light to resume training for Chan

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Zimbabwe coach Zdravko Logarusic has been handed a massive boost after getting the green light to resume camp in preparations for Chan.

The Warriors’ preparations were halted after more than half of their members tested positive for Covid-19.

However, the Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA) has now confirmed the national team can embark on their preparations under the Croatian coach.

The Federation however confirmed one player returned a positive result.

“ZIFA is delighted to inform the football fraternity and the nation at large that 15 members of the Warriors’ CHAN team that had previously tested positive for Covid-19 have all tested negative save for one in the re-tests conducted on January 8, 2021,” ZIFA confirmed.

“The player that re-tested positive for Covid-19 will continue self-isolating while in camp, awaiting another test on January 12, 2021. The rest of the team is set to resume full training on Sunday.

“The technical team and the 22 players declared Covid-19 free will now resume training ahead of their departure for Cameroon on January 13, 2021.”

The Warriors are in Group A alongside hosts Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso.

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