Cairo – The Algerian national team for local players will face the winner of the double-header match between Gambia and Gabon in the second and final round of playoff matches qualifying for the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) postponed to 2025, which will take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This was announced following the draw held on Thursday at the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo.
The away leg will be played between May 2-4, 2025, while the return leg will take place in Algeria from May 9-11, 2025.
In addition to Algeria, six other teams will participate in the playoffs: Egypt, South Africa, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, and Comoros.
If Algeria qualifies for the final stage, it will join Group Three alongside Uganda, Niger, Guinea, and another team advancing from the playoff round. A total of 19 teams will compete in the finals of the upcoming CHAN edition, scheduled to take place from August 2-30, 2025.
According to the qualification system, Algeria secured direct entry into the second round thanks to its top ranking in continental standings based on results from the last three editions of the CHAN, as confirmed by the CAF.
For reference, Senegal won the seventh edition of the Africa Nations Championship hosted in Algeria in 2023, defeating Algeria 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the final held on February 4, 2023, at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, Algiers.
Playoff Draw for the Second Round:
- Match 1-2: Comoros vs Malawi
- Match 3-4: South Africa vs Egypt
- Match 5-6: Gambia vs Gabon
The winner of the Comoros-Malawi matchup (Match 1-2) will face the winner of South Africa-Egypt (Match 3-4) in the second round of qualifiers, with the victor advancing to the finals. The winner of Gambia-Gabon (Match 5-6) will face Algeria in the second round, with the winning team securing a spot in the finals.
Match Schedule for the Second Qualifying Round:
- First Round:
- Away Leg: February 28 – March 2
- Home Leg: March 7-9
- Second Round:
- Away Leg: May 2-4
- Home Leg: May 9-11
Groups for the Final Stage of the 2024 Africa Nations Championship:
- Group One: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia
- Group Two: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic
- Group Three: Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2
- Group Four: Senegal, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria
Article written by Nor Eleslam for dzwatch.dz.
