The head coach of Sudan’s national team, Kwesi Appiah has said he is very happy for guiding his team to book a slot in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 20224.

After winning the first leg 2-0 against Ethiopia, Sudan registered a 2-1 win in the second leg played on December 25^th, 2024 in Benghazi, Libya.

Musa Kanti and Mohamed Abdelrahman netted for Sudan, while Birhanu Bekele scored for Ethiopia.

“I am very happy that my team has worked really hard. After qualifying for AFCON 2025, we have now made it to the CHA 2024 tournament,” said a happy Appiah, also a former Ghana Black Stars head coach.

Appiah made it clear that it has been a lot of hard work playing away from home and preparing the team to be able to get positive results and qualify for both AFCON 2025 and CHAN 2024.

Action in the final phase of the CHAN qualifiers in the CECAFA Zone returns on Saturday when Rwanda host South Sudan at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. South Sudan picked a 3-2 win in the first leg played in Juba.

Uganda who picked a 1-0 win against Burundi in the first leg on December 26^th will return to action in the second leg on December 29^th.

Hosts of the CHAN 2024 Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania automatically qualified for the tournament slated for February 1-28^th, 2025.

Striker Issac Ogwang netted the lone goal as Uganda Cranes defeated Burundi 1-0 in the first leg of the final phase of the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier on Thursday.

Ogwang capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Burundi defenders and slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper Dieudonne Ntibahezwa at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala.

After conceding the goal, Burundi tried to reorganize themselves as Shabani Kagayo and Destin Maniriho keept the Ugandan defenders busy.

Seven minutes into the second half Gloire Ngongo Tambwe had his stot blocked by the Ugandan goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa.

The two teams continued to create scoring opportunities, but failed to take them. The return leg will be played on December 29^th, 2024 at the same Stadium.

Jimmy Ndayizeye, the Burundi coach said that his team had  failed to take their chances. “We need to go back and reorganize better for the return leg,” added Ndayizeye.

The Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put said he was happy with the win in the first leg, but added that there is still work to be done ahead of the return leg.

Action in the CHAN qualifiers returns on Friday with Sudan facing Ethiopia, while Rwanda host South Sudan on Saturday. Sudan and South Sudan registered wins in the first leg matches

Hosts of the CHAN 2024 Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya have automatically qualified for the tournament. The CHAN 2024 tournament meant for only players featuring in their home Leagues will take place February 1-28^th, 2025.

History has been made as the South Sudan Premier League kicked off on December 23^rd, 2024 for the first time since the country got Independence.

Al Malakia Juba FC was part of the history as they defeated El Merriekh SC Bentiu 2-0 in the opening match played at the Juba Stadium on Monday.

Second half goals by Emmanuel Jowang and Mabior Herjok were enough to ensure Al Malakia Juba FC collected maximum points to kick-start the season on a winning note.

Augustino Maduot Parek, President of the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) told Cecafaonline that they are happy to start the South Sudan Premier League. “This is a crucial step in the development of Football in South Sudan,” added Parek.

Action continues on Tuesday with Kator FC Juba hosting Wajuma FC, while Juba Local Football Association representatives and two times South Sudan Cup champions, Jamus FC battle Bentiu City FC on Wednesday.

The inaugural South Sudan Premier League with 14 teams and sponsored by MTN South Sudan will conclude in June 2025.

It’s advantage for South Sudan and Sudan after the two teams picked vital wins in the first leg matches of the last round of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 qualifiers on Sunday.

South Sudan stopped Rwanda 3-2 in a match played at the Juba National Stadium in Juba, while Sudan stopped Ethiopia 2-0 in a match played in Libya.

After 12 minutes an own goal by Aimable Nsabimana gave the home side the lead. Mandela Malish increased South Sudan’s lead after 20 minutes.

Rwanda returned determined after the interval and pulled a goal back through Kevin Muhire after only four minutes.

But the home team continued to attack in numbers and Ebon Malish netted their third goal after 53 minutes. The visitors however did not give up and scored a second goal through Didier Mugisha after 66 minutes.

In the second match involving teams from the CECAFA Zone Ethiopia who hosted the first leg match in Libya suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sudan in a match played at the Benghazi Martyrs Stadium, Benina. Yasir Mozamil and Musa Kanti netted the goals for Sudan.

On December 26^th, 2024 Burundi will host Uganda in the first leg to be played at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala. The return legs for the three matches will be played between December 27-29th, 2024.

Already hosts of the CHAN 2024 Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have automatically qualified ahead of the 19 teams tournament exclusively featuring players from domestic leagues across Africa.

The tournament will take place in East Africa from February 1-28, 2025.