PuraVida Sports

By Dennis Mabuka

Following a dramatic final round of matches involving Nigeria versus Congo and defending champions Senegal against Sudan on Tuesday, the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) reached its knockout phase, with the quarterfinal fixtures confirmed.

The group preliminary matches of the eighth edition of the CHAN, being co-hosted in East Africa, culminated with Group D matches. 

Nigeria, who came into the tournament a favourites, bowed out with a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Congo at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania, while Sudan and Senegal drew 0-0, a result that saw both nations reach the last eight with five points each.

Who will face who in the quarterfinals?

Kenya vs Madagascar – Kasarani Stadium (Friday)

Kenya, who topped Group A with 10 points, will kick off the last eight campaign against Madagascar, who finished second in Group A with seven points at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, August 22nd.

Harambee Stars under Benni McCarthy started their campaign with a 1-0 win against two-time CHAN winners DR Congo, before securing a 1-1 draw against Angola.

Kenya recovered to beat another two-time CHAN champions Morocco, 1-0 despite playing with 10 men before rounding off their group matches with a 1-0 win against Zambia. McCarthy’s men conceded only once in four matches, underlining their defensive discipline.

The victory against the Chipolopolo, which was sealed by a second-half goal courtesy of Ryan Ogam, ensured that Kenya remained in Nairobi for their quarterfinal clash.

Tanzania vs Morocco – Benjamin Mkapa Stadium (Friday)

Taifa Stars under coach Hemed Suleiman progressed to the knockout stages with an unbeaten run to finish Group A with 10 points. Tanzania recorded wins against Burkina Faso (2-0), Mauritania (1-0), and Madagascar (2-1), alongside a 0-0 draw with the Central African Republic.

Tanzania will come up against the Atlas Lions, who finished second in Group A, in what promises to be one of the toughest ties of the round. Morocco started their group campaign with a 2-0 win against Angola, floored Zambia 3-1 before suffering a 1-0 defeat against Kenya. While tied on six points with DR Congo, Morocco needed a win to advance against the same side, and they emerged 2-1 winners.

Sudan vs Algeria—Amaan Stadium – (Saturday)

The Falcons of Jediane, unbeaten under Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah, will come up against Algeria in the quarterfinals following their success to finish top of Group D on goal difference, while champions Senegal settled for second.

Sudan remains one of the teams to produce the biggest upset in the CHAN so far after they hammered Nigeria 4-0 in the group stage. By finishing top with five points, the same as the Lions of Teranga, Sudan will remain in Zanzibar for the Algeria clash on Saturday, while Senegal will head to Kampala for their quarter-final showdown with Uganda.

Uganda vs Senegal – Mandela Stadium (Saturday)

The Cranes finally made it to the knockout stages after six previous attempts, after their dramatic 3-3 draw against South Africa was enough to secure top spot in Group C with seven points. Heading into the decider, the Cranes needed just a point to book their place in the last eight, while South Africa required nothing less than victory. They will face an Algeria side, which finished second in Group C after collecting six points from one win and three draws.