Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal, Nigeria & Guinea qualify for next year's CHAN
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal, Nigeria & Guinea qualify for next year’s CHAN

Ghana’s Black Galaxies suffered a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria. They will miss the 2024 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament as defending champions Senegal, Guinea, Central African Republic and DR Congo have all secured their spots.

After the first leg ended in a draw in Ghana, both teams fought hard for a chance to compete in CHAN. The Central African Republic earned their spot by beating Cameroon.

In other matches, Burkina Faso eliminated Côte d’Ivoire after returning from a two-goal deficit in the first leg. Goals from Aboubacar Traoré and Franck Kanté tied the aggregate score and sent the match to penalties. The Stallions maintained their composure, successfully converting four penalties to the Elephants’ two, thus securing their place at CHAN 2024.

Defending champions Senegal secured their spot by defeating Liberia 4-1 on aggregate. After a 1-1 draw in Monrovia, Senegal won the second match 3-0, with goals from Oumar Ba, Baye Ciss, and Madione Mbaye.

In a regional derby, Guinea knocked out Guinea-Bissau with a 6-2 aggregate score following another 2-1 victory victory away. Mohamed Saliou Bangoura and Naby Bangoura scored, ensuring Guinea’s place under coach Souleymane Camara Abedy.

The Democratic Republic of Congo also advanced by beating Chad 3-1 in Kinshasa, maintaining their home advantage.

Oscar Kabwit scored first for the Leopards, and Jonathan Mokonzi and Nyembo Ntumba added goals in the second half after Chad equalized through Ahmat Abdulrahman.

Meanwhile, Cameroon’s chances of competing in CHAN ended after a 2-1 loss to the Central African Republic in the second leg.

The tournament will occur from February 1 to 28, 2025, with Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania as co-hosts. It will showcase local talent from domestic leagues.

  • Qualified Countries thus far: Angola, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Zambia.

Sudan, Niger book CHAN spots as others battle for a place in the final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sudan, Niger book CHAN spots as others battle for a place in the final

Niger has qualified for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a goalless draw against Togo in the second leg, advancing on the away goals rule following a 1-1 draw in the first leg. This marks Niger’s fifth appearance in the CHAN finals.

Sudan was the first team to secure their place in the tournament after a 2-1 victory over Ethiopia in the second leg, combined with a 2-0 win in the first leg, giving them a 4-1 aggregate score.

Musa Kanti opened the scoring for Sudan early on, and despite a brief equalizer from Ethiopia, Sudan quickly regained the lead to secure their fourth CHAN qualification.

The qualifiers continue on Saturday, with eight teams vying for spots, including Burkina Faso trying to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Côte d’Ivoire. Defending champions Senegal will host Liberia in Diamniadio, aiming to secure their qualification following a 1-1 draw in Monrovia.

They have added Daouda Ba and Moussa Diallo to strengthen their defence and attack. In a regional derby, Guinea seeks to overcome Guinea-Bissau.

On Sunday, the final five qualification spots will be decided, with Mali trying to recover from a 1-0 first-leg loss to Mauritania.

The tournament will take place from February 1 to 28, 2025, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, providing a platform for showcasing local talent exclusively from domestic leagues.

Saturday, December 28, 2024

  • 13:00: Zambia vs. Mozambique
  • 16:00: Burkina Faso vs. Ivory Coast
  • 16:00: Cameroon vs. Central African Republic
  • 16:00: Guinea-Bissau vs. Guinea
  • 16:00: Nigeria vs. Ghana
  • 16:00: Rwanda vs. South Sudan
  • 16:30: Angola vs. Lesotho
  • 17:00: Senegal vs. Liberia

Sunday, December 29, 2024

  • Noon: Madagascar vs. Eswatini
  • 13:00: Uganda vs. Burundi
  • 14:00: Congo vs. Equatorial Guinea
  • 16:00: DR Congo vs. Chad
  • 16:00 : Mali vs. Mauritania

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1872923786640801871

Sierra Leone's Tyrese Fornah nets first Salford's goal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Tyrese Fornah nets first Salford’s goal

Tyrese Fornah, a Sierra Leone international, scored his first league goal on Boxing Day when the Ammies defeated Barrow 3-0, their first three-game winning streak since October 2023.

The squad benefited greatly from the game, moving up to ninth place in the rankings, three points outside of the desired top three spots.

Tyrese Fornah and Luke Garbutt both ended the scoring drought in an exciting first half, hitting their first goals of the year to put the Ammies ahead 2-0.

The fans’ thunderous applause created an electrifying environment. Kylian Kouassi completed the outstanding performance in the last ten minutes by scoring the game’s winning goal, ensuring the team’s victory.

Despite his goal, a second yellow card for Fornah late in the day for a reckless challenge on Spence, saw him receive a sending-off after his heel caught the Barrow player on the way down.

Wayne Rooney confirms suspected hamstring for Mustapha Bundu
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Plymouth Argyle to assess winger Mustapha Bundu due to hamstring

On Thursday, Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu departed the pitch with a suspected hamstring as Plymouth Argyle faced a significant 4-0 defeat against Coventry City in the Championship.

Bundu started their Boxing Day match but was substituted in the 36th minute after Argyle fell behind by two goals.

All of Coventry’s goals were scored before half-time, beginning with an early strike from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. Josh Eccles increased the lead to 2-0 after 20 minutes, and Coventry effectively sealed the outcome with two goals in six minutes just before the break.

Ephron Mason-Clark demonstrated impressive form by scoring his fourth goal in six matches since Lampard took over as manager. Eccles netted his second goal and Coventry’s fourth, bringing his season total to three.

This victory represented Lampard’s third win as manager of Coventry City, elevating the team to 14th place, now ten points clear of the playoff positions.

In contrast, Plymouth remains at the bottom of the league, just two points adrift of safety, following their fourth consecutive away defeat in a month.

“Mustapha Bundu has felt his hamstring, so we’ll assess that over the next few days. Not ideal, but we have to dig in. While this situation is not optimal, the team must continue to persevere. The supporters have valid reasons for their disappointment, as the match was effectively concluded by half-time,” Rooney was quoted as saying.

There was significant concern regarding the goals conceded, particularly due to the early nature of those goals. The players did not respond quickly enough to the unfolding situation.

Additionally, “It’s a silly tackle by Callum Wright. He’s had a bit of a wild tackle just before that and he’s got frustrated. I’ve been there myself. But he’s cost himself by missing the next few games.“

Senegalese striker Iliman Ndiaye named Player of the Match against City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegalese striker Iliman Ndiaye helps Everton draw against City

Senegalese striker Iliman Ndiaye was named Player of the Match after he scored an equalizer that helped Everton draw 1-1 with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Iliman Ndiaye’s fourth goal of the season came through a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner to level the scoreline in the 36th minute.

Erling Haaland had a penalty saved by Jordan Pickford in the second half. Manchester City continues to struggle, with only one win in their last 13 games.

City nearly took the lead in the third minute when Josko Gvardiol’s header hit the post. They scored in the 14th minute when Bernardo Silva finished a pass from Jeremy Doku, thanks to a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite. They could have scored again when Phil Foden set up Silva inside the box, but Silva missed the target.

Seven minutes into the second half, City had another chance to regain the lead when Vitalii Mykolenko fouled Savinho in the box. However, Pickford saved Haaland’s penalty.

City pushed for a winning goal but could not break through Everton’s defence. They have not won a match since December 4 against Nottingham Forest.

There was one last chance for Everton. In the final minute of six added minutes, Broja led another Everton attack and found Harrison in a promising position – but the winger’s shot was blocked.

The result places City in sixth place, three points behind Nottingham Forest in fourth and 11 points behind leaders Liverpool. Everton in 15th after draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.