Tag Archives: African Nations Championship (CHAN)

Regional, Sports

CAF cracks down on CHAN misconduct: Zambia, Kenya, and Morocco fined

Shaffie A Mtambo

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued heavy fines to several teams participating in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) following breaches of competition regulations.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has been ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 (approximately MK8.6 million) after the head coach of the Zambian national team, Avram Grant, failed to attend a mandatory pre-match press conference ahead of their clash against the Republic of Congo.

According to CAF’s competition rules, attendance at official press conferences is compulsory, and any failure to comply is considered a serious offence.

Kenya has been hit with a far larger penalty, a $50,000 fine, for breaching safety and security regulations during their CHAN fixture against Morocco.

CAF did not disclose full details, but reports indicate that incidents in the stands and pitch perimeter were at the heart of the sanction.

The continental body has also issued a stern warning to Kenya, stating that if such incidents occur again, the remaining matches in the country could be moved to neighboring Tanzania, which is a co-host for the tournament.

Meanwhile, Morocco has also been punished, receiving a $5,000 fine for its role in the disturbances during the same match against Kenya.

CAF has given all three federations 60 days to settle the fines. Failure to do so could result in further disciplinary action, including possible suspension from future CAF competitions.

The African Nations Championship (CHAN), which features national teams made up exclusively of players competing in their domestic leagues, has been underway with high intensity, but CAF’s latest decisions serve as a reminder that discipline and order remain a top priority in African football.

Regional, Sports

Zambia risk hefty CAF fine after coach Avram Grant skips pre-match media duties

Shaffie A Mtambo

NAIROBI-(MaraviPost)-The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is staring down a potential $10,000 fine from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after national team head coach Avram Grant failed to attend a mandatory pre-match press conference ahead of Zambia’s opening African Nations Championship (CHAN) clash against DR Congo.

Journalists, who had gathered at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi for the highly anticipated media briefing, were informed by CAF officials that the event had been abruptly cancelled due to the absence of the Zambian head coach.

Under CAF tournament regulations, all teams are required to present their head coaches for official press duties on the eve of matchday to promote transparency and engagement with the media.

Failure to comply attracts financial penalties, with minimum fines starting at $10,000.

While neither FAZ nor Grant has offered an explanation for the no-show, the incident has raised eyebrows, especially given the increasing importance CAF places on professionalism and accountability during international competitions.

Zambia are scheduled to face DR Congo in a high-stakes group stage match on Friday, but the build-up has now been clouded by administrative controversy that could overshadow the team’s on-field performance.

This is not the first time disciplinary measures have loomed over CHAN pre-match procedures, and CAF is reportedly expected to take swift action to maintain discipline among participating teams.

Sports

CHAN 2018: Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 as Rwanda overcome Equatorial Guinea

Maravi Post Reporter

Nigeria edged past Libya 1-0 at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco as Rwanda beat Equatorial Guinea by the same scoreline in Friday’s Group C matches.

Both Nigeria and Rwanda struggled to make their dominance count against opponents happy to cautiously take chances when they presented themselves.

Salisu Yusuf’s men dominated the game but had to wait until the 79th minute for Sunday Felaye to score Nigeria’s winner while Thierry Manzi was the hero for Rwanda.

ADVERTISEMENT

The results mean that Nigeria and Rwanda have four points from two matches at the tournament for locally-based players, with Libya a point behind and Equatorial Guinea out of the running without a single point.

Despite Libya beginning the game knowing a win would take them to the quarter-finals they were not keen to launch all-out attacks.

The local Super Eagles dominated the first half in terms of possession and while Libya did their best to get forward, neither keeper – both of whom were their team captains – had a serious save to make.

The first chance of the second half fell to Emeka Ogbugh in the 55th minute as he headed a cross from Falaye straight at Libya keeper Muhammad Nashnoush.

Ten minutes later, it was Libya’s turn to go close as substitute Abdelsalam Alaqoub struck a shot across goal from outside the area but also past the post.

The deadlock was finally broken 11 minutes from time when Osas Okoro’s corner landed at Felaye’s feet and he made no mistake from close range with a first-time shot.

It was a similar pattern in the second Group C game in Tangier with Rwanda doing all the pressing despite Equatorial Guinea knowing a loss would mean their end in the tournament.

Rwanda’s goal also came from a corner, this time it was swung in high by Djihad Bizimana and Manzi jumped highest to glance the ball into the net.

The Rwandans did have a chance to extend their lead in the 81st minute but were denied by a good save from Cambio as he readjusted to stop a swerving long-range effort from Muhadjiri Hakizimana.

The loss means Equatorial Guinea are out of contention to progress as the best they can hope for is three points to be level with Libya, who would advance on the head-to-head rule thanks to their 3-0 win in the opening round of matches over the Equatoguineans.

In the last round of Group C matches on Tuesday, Rwanda will play Libya while Nigeria face Equatorial Guinea.

Sports

CHAN 2018: Congo win to advance but Cameroon lose to drop out

Maravi Post Reporter

Morocco is hosting the 2018 African Nations Championship with matches in Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier and Agadir.

Cameroon are out of contention at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco, but Congo-Brazzaville are through to the quarter-finals despite losing 1-0 to Angola.

The local Indomitable Lions lost 1-0 to Angola, whose only goal was scored from the penalty spot by captain Job.

Elsewhere, Congo beat Burkina Faso 2-0 thanks to goals from Carof Bakoua and substitute Kader Bidimbou.

ADVERTISEMENT

They lead Group D after two wins, with Angola second on four points.

Burkina Faso have taken just one point so far while Cameroon are without a point at the tournament for locally-based players only.

Bakoua broke the deadlock 67 minutes into a game in which neither Congo nor Burkina Faso played well.

Varel Joviale Rozan swung in a free-kick that Juares Ngombe got his head and Babayoure Sawadogo’s save fell to Bakoua, who hooked home.

Congo’s win was sealed in injury time when substitute Bidimbou headed home a pinpoint cross from Junior Makiesse.

The earlier game also started in sluggish fashion, before Angola were awarded a penalty on 27 minutes when Bertrand Owundi brought down Va.

Job sent Jean-Oscar Gwot Kitali the wrong way to give Angola the lead.

They were denied a second seven minutes after the break when Kitali made a good save to keep out a low header from substitute Herenilson, who got on the end of a Job free-kick.

Cameroon did improve, and did create opportunities, but could not find a way past the stubborn Angolan defence and their crosses into the area were always closer to Landu than to an attacker.

However Landu was forced into a good save in the 84th minute when he stopped Alphonse Tientcheu’s fierce shot from outside the area.

The final Group D encounters are on Wednesday, when Angola play Congo and Cameroon take on Burkina Faso.

The Burkinabe know the only way they can progress is to win and hope Angola lose, with goal difference then deciding who progresses.

Angola know a draw will be enough for them to reach the quarter-finals.