2023 CHAN Group C : The draw of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship was done on Saturday night in Algeria.
We take a look at the profiles of the group opponents of the Black Galaxies.
MOROCCO: Defending champions still hungry for victory
Nickname: The Atlas Lions
Competition history: 4 appearances
Zone: North (UNAF)
Proved that their victory at home in 2018 was no fluke, Morocco successfully defended their title in 2020. A record extending third title is very much on the cards.
Will be looking to build on the fact that they have strength in depth, with players who hail from both current CAF Club competition champions Wydad Casablanca and RS Berkane they have strength and experience to again be competitive.
Qualifiers Performance of Morocco
Advanced after the withdrawal of Tunisia and Egypt from UNAF qualifiers.
Major local clubs
Wydad AC, Raja CA, RS Berkane, FAR Rabat, FUS Rabat
MADAGASCAR : This is their debut tournament appearance
Nickname: Barea
Competition history: None
Zone: South (COSAFA)
Coach: Rakotondrabe Romuald Felix (Madagascar)
Will be making their bow at the CHAN finals and are the only debutants heading to Algeria.
Are beneficiaries of a strong domestic structure which sees all their teams take good advantage of competing in regional national team and continental club competitions.
At the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, the Barea who were participating in their first tournament, caused a sensation by qualifying for the quarterfinals.
The expectations are almost the same for this CHAN. It will be necessary to pass the first round to confirm the Malagasy mark.
Qualifiers Performance of Madagascar
First Round
1st Leg: 23.07.2022 – Seychelles 0-1 Madagascar (Cote D’or National Sports Complex Pitch 1)
2nd Leg: 31.07.2022 – Madagascar 3-0 Seychelles (Stade Kianja Barea)
Second Round
1st Leg: 27.08.2022 – Botswana 0-1 Madagascar (Obed Itani Chilume Stadium)
2nd Leg: 02.09.2022 – Madagascar 1-1 Botswana (Stade Kianja Barea)
Major local clubs
Fosa Juniors, Elgeco Plus, CNaPS Sports
SUDAN :
Nickname: Falcons of Jediane
Competition history: 2 appearances
Zone: Central East (CECAFA)
Coach: Magdi Abdelmageed Shamseldin (Sudan)
Third place finishes as hosts in 2011 and 2018, Sudan returns to the finals for a third time.
With most of their senior national team based at home, they can be at near full strength for the tournament in Algeria.
Performance of Sudan in the 2023 CHAN qualification series
First Round : (Bye)
Second Round
1st Leg: 26.08.2022 – Djibouti 1-4 Sudan (Grand Stade Marrakech)
2nd Leg: 03.09.2022 – Sudan 3-2 Djibouti (El Hilal Stadium)
Major local clubs :
Al Hilal, Al Merreikh, Al-Ahly Shendi, Al Khartoum, Hilal-Al Obayed
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