TotalEnergies CHAN qualifiers: Malawi stun Bafana, Gambia hold Algeria in tight first-leg encounters
Malawi took a significant step toward qualifying for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Africa, while Gambia earned a creditable goalless draw against Algeria in Bakau as first-leg action of the final qualifying round kicked off across the continent.
At Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Zeliat Nkhoma emerged as the hero, heading home an 87th-minute winner to seal Malawi's first competitive win over Bafana Bafana in 24 years.
South Africa, who had netted four goals in their previous round tie against Egypt, looked off-colour throughout, failing to register a single shot on target.
Despite a promising opportunity for Wisdom Mpinganjira midway through the first half, the game remained in deadlock until the dying minutes.
Mpinganjira’s inch-perfect cross found Nkhoma, who rose highest to nod home past goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto and send the home crowd into raptures.
Malawi coach Pasuwa praised his side’s resolve: “In the first half, we were second to the ball, but the boys stayed focused. In the second half, we increased the pressure and got our reward.”
His counterpart Molefi Nseki remained optimistic, vowing to “find solutions” in the return leg in Pretoria on 11 May.
Elsewhere, Gambia marked their return to the newly renovated Independence Stadium in Bakau by holding Algeria to a 0-0 draw.
Despite boasting a squad featuring stars from league leaders Mouloudia Alger and AC Paradou, the Algerians could not breach a resolute Scorpions defence.
Algeria came closest through Aimen Mahious, who saw an acrobatic overhead kick saved, and a first-half effort from Boulbina that struck the post.
The hosts, buoyed by a passionate crowd, had their best chance through Adama Kanteh, whose fierce volley narrowly missed the target.
The return leg between Gambia and Algeria is set for 9 May in Annaba, with both ties delicately poised ahead of decisive second legs.
Winners will advance to the CHAN finals to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 2–30 August 2025.
The winners of the two ties will join Uganda, Niger and Guinea in Group C. Title-holders Senegal are in Group D, the only four-team section, with Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Sudan.