Sudan have qualified for the semi final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.

The Falcons of Jediane ejected Algeria in the last quarter final match played on Saturday night at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

After playing out to a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes, it was Sudan who held their nerves comings out top in the penalty shoot outs winning 4-2.

Sudan benefited from an own goal by Algerian defender Ayoub Ghezala after 48 minutes, but the 2023 finalists battled back to level matters after 73 minutes through Soufiane Bayazid.

The two teams continued to create several scoring opportunities including in the 30 added extra minutes after the allotted 90 minutes.

Sudan goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja was the hero after saving two penalties. It was all celebrations for the Sudan team who also topped Group D going into the knock out stage.

“I am so happy the way my team has been so disciplined against an organized Algerian team. We shall work hard to make sure we get a good result in the semi finals,” said a happy Suda coach Kwesi Appiah after the match.

Sudan will now face Madagascar in the semi final stage in Dar es Salaam, while Senegal take on Morocco in Kampala, with both matches to be played on August 26^th, 2025.

Meanwhile, in an earlier quarter final match co-hosts Uganda were ejected 1-0 by the reigning champions Senegal.

Oumar Ba netted the lone goal after 62 minutes to silence the home fans. Uganda Cranes tried to fight back strongly, but failed to find the goals.

Uganda followed co-hosts Kenya and Morocco out of the Championship.

Co-hosts Kenya and Tanzania have failed to go past the quarter final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.

After a 1-1 draw the Harambee Stars lost 4-3 in penalty shoot-outs in Nairobi, while Tanzania suffered a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in a match played in Dar es Salaam.

After a goalless first half Kenya took the lead through defender Boniface Muchiri after 48 minutes. But Madagascar leveled matters after 66 minutes through Fenohasina Razafimaro who netted from the spot.

Cheered on by the passionate home supporters, the Kenyan team pushed forward in search for more goals, but failed to break the tight Madagascar defending line.

During penalty shoot-outs Madagascar had one opportunity missed, while Mike Kibwage’s effort was saved by Madagascar keeper Michel Ramandimbisoa, and Alphonce Omija also missed.

“It was not our day today. I thank the players for playing their hearts out and the fans for giving the team all the support,” said Kenya’s head coach Benni McCarthy after the match.

In Dar es Salaam at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Tanzania created several scoring opportunities, but failed to make them count.

Clement Nzize and attacking midfielder Feisal Salum had some decent opportunies for Taifa Stars, but failed to find the net. After recess Oussama Lamlaoui netted the lone goal for Morocco after 65 minutes.

Hamad Suleiman, the Tanzanian head coach was also proud of his players who reached this far winning three matches, drawing one and losing one. “We congratulate Morocco for advancing to the next level, but I also thank my players for working hard to reach this far,” added Suleiman.

Action shifts to Kampala on Saturday as co-hosts Uganda face reigning champions Senegal at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole, while Sudan battle Algeria later at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar in the last quarter final match.

Teams from the CECAFA Zone will be all out hoping to make more history as the quarter stage of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 starts today.

Co-hosts Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan re-wrote history last week when all the four teams entered the quarter final stage.

Harambee Stars of Kenya will take to the field first this afternoon with a match against Madagascar in Nairobi, while Tanzania will later take on two time winners Morocco at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

After leading their group and losing no match and picking up 10 points, Kenya’s coach Benni MacCarthy has made it clear they must remain calm as they go all out to face a tricky opponent Madagascar.

“We know we’re up against a tough opponent. But if you look at the opposition we faced in our group, it wasn’t easy either. That gives us confidence,” says McCarthy.

In Tanzania the home fans will be hoping for more history to be made to build on their three wins and one draw they registered in the group stage.

Head coach Hamad Suleiman has made it clear that although they respect the Morocco team, they are not afraid of facing them.

“We’ve finished the group stage. We know how to play now. After four matches, we have no problems. We are ready for the quarter-final match against Morocco,” he added.

On Saturday Uganda Cranes who stormed the qauarter final stage for the first time in their seven attempts will also hope to play their hearts out as they face the reigning champions Senegal.

Morley Byekwaso, the Ugandan coach has made it clear that they know what to expect against Senegal because they faced them few weeks ago in a preparatory match in Tanzania. “The players are very motivated for the match and know what to expect against Senegal,” added he coach.

The same day Sudan who are not new to reaching the knock out stage in the CHAN tournament will also be hoping to re-write their own history under the guidance of head coach Kwesi Appiah.

Sudan who fiished top of Group D will take on a tricky opponent Algeria in Zanzibar in another anticipated thriller. “I am happy that we have kept improving in every match in different aspects, and now we can’t wait for the quarter final,” added Appiah.

In the history of the CHAN competition meant for players featuring for teams in their respective countries, only Sudan has reached the semi final stage on two occasions.

Sudan reached the semi final in 20211 when they hosted, but won bronze after seeing off Algeria 1-0 in the play-off, while they also finished third in 2018 when they edged Libya in the play-off when the tournament took place in Morocco.

A 10-man Harambee Stars team has picked a hard earned 1-1 draw in a TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Group A match played on Thursday night in Nairobi.

Kenya were lucky to salvage a point after Marvin Omondi Nabwire was sent off after 21st minute.

Angola were the first to score through Joaquim Paciencia after 7 minutes to silence the crowd at the Moi International Sports Centre – Kasarani.

But after five minutes Kenya leveled matters from the spot through Austin Odhiambo.

Kenya’s uphill task against a tough Angola side came in the 21st minute when the center referee reviewed Nabwire’s challenge from a yellow card to sending him off for denying Angola a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Harambee Stars weathered a series of attacks defending in numbers before the first half ended with Angola dominating play.

After recess the game was in Angola hands but Kenya was determined to salvage a point under difficult circumstances with Keeper Bryne Omondi often making crucial saves. It was a relief for Kenya as Angola’s goal deep in extra time was ruled out for an offside.

“It was the toughest match I have been involved in. When you go 70 minutes witj 10 men, it’s hard that you have to coach your players to stay in the game,” said Kenya’s coach Benni McCarthy.

In an earlier match two time champions DR Congo bounced back to defeat Zambia 2-0.

DR Congo who lost their opening match to Kenya scored two second half goals through Ibrahim Matobo Mubulu and Malanga Horso Mwaku.

Kenya now sit top of group B with 4 points and hope to pick momentum when they face Morocco on August 10^th at the Moi International Sports Centre – Kasarani.

Group A

                   P    W    D     L  GF   GA GD   Pts

Kenya         2     1     1     0    2      1    1     4

Morocco     1     1     1     0    2      2    2     3  

DR Congo  2      1     0     1    2      1    1     3

Angola        2      0     1     1    1      3   -2     1

Zambia       1      0     0      1    0      2   -2    0