Malawi achieved a decisive 2-0 victory against Comoros, while South Africa secured a 1-1 draw with Egypt in the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2025 qualifiers. A goalless match between Gambia and Gabon marked the opening of the second qualification stage. The return legs are set to determine which teams progress further in the tournament.
The TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers witnessed significant outcomes during the first leg of the second qualification stages concluded on Sunday. Notably, Malawi executed a commanding 2-0 victory over Comoros, while South Africa managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Egypt. Additionally, Gambia and Gabon could not find the back of the net, resulting in a goalless stalemate in their opening match.
Malawi’s impressive performance against Comoros was highlighted by their decisive 2-0 away win. The Malawian team took the lead in the 44th minute when Binwell Katinji capitalized on a defensive oversight. Although Comoros aimed to mount a comeback in the second half, they were thwarted by Malawi’s solid defense and ultimately succumbed to a second goal by Zebron Kalima in stoppage time, solidifying their lead ahead of the return leg.
In a tightly contested match at Orlando Stadium, South Africa displayed resilience against Egypt, finishing with a 1-1 draw. Under the guidance of Coach Molefi Ntseki, the Bafana Bafana squad exhibited their attacking prowess. Despite Egypt taking the lead with a striking volley from Hassan Abdelaal in the 75th minute, South Africa responded with a remarkable equalizer by Jamie Webber, reinforcing their competitiveness as both teams look to the return leg.
The opening match between Gambia and Gabon concluded in a 0-0 draw at Stade Lat Dior, where Gabon’s steadfast defense played a pivotal role in securing an away point. The result now provides Gabon an advantageous position as they prepare to host Gambia in the second leg on March 8. Meanwhile, the second-leg matches are set to determine who will progress further in the CHAN 2025 qualification.
First leg results from the qualifiers include:
– Gambia 0-0 Gabon (February 28, 2025)
– Comoros 0-2 Malawi (March 2, 2025)
– South Africa 1-1 Egypt (March 2, 2025)
The upcoming fixtures are as follows:
– Malawi vs. Comoros – March 8, 2025 | 13:00 GMT
– Gabon vs. Gambia – March 8, 2025 | 15:00 GMT
– Egypt vs. South Africa – March 9, 2025 | 19:30 GMT
As the teams prepare for the decisive second-leg matches, the competition remains intense, with all six teams determined to secure their places in the next round of the CHAN 2025 qualifiers.
In summary, the first leg of the CHAN 2025 qualifiers featured notable performances, with Malawi achieving a significant victory over Comoros and South Africa battling to a draw against Egypt. Gambia and Gabon also faced off in a stalemate. The upcoming second legs will be crucial in determining which teams advance to the next stage of the competition, as they strive to secure their positions in the tournament.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
