Guinea hold off Niger to start CHAN 2024 with victory
The win was sealed by a second-half strike from Mohamed Bangoura II, who netted shortly after the restart following a VAR review.
It marked a cagey, often physical affair in which Guinea's superior game management and defensive structure saw them over the line in this Group C opener.
In a repeat of their thrilling 2-2 draw at the 2016 edition, expectations were high for another open contest, but both sides approached the encounter with caution, especially in the early stages.
Guinea came into the match unbeaten in open play in their last seven CHAN games, while Niger sought to avoid a third straight tournament defeat.
The first half was scrappy and full of midfield tussles. Chances were few and far between, with long-range efforts from Lansana Sylla and Théodore Jules testing the goalkeepers but never truly threatening to break the deadlock.
The tempo was repeatedly broken by fouls, and the match saw five yellow cards dished out—three to Niger.
The breakthrough came just two minutes into the second half. Guinea winger Alhassane Bangoura whipped in a low cross from the left and Bangoura II reacted first, steering a composed right-footed finish into the bottom corner.
The assistant referee initially raised his flag, but after a brief VAR check, the goal was confirmed—sending the Syli Nationale bench into celebration.
Niger responded by throwing men forward, with substitute Abdoul-Latif Goumey coming closest to equalising with a looping header that went just wide in the 76th minute.
Ridouane Assane also tested the Guinea defence with a couple of long-range drives, while Bilal Oumarou's deliveries from the flanks gave hope of a late comeback.
But Guinea remained resolute. Centre-back Mohamed Diabaté led a disciplined back line, while Ousmane Drame and substitute Ibrahima Sankhon added steel in midfield.
Goalkeeper Ousmane Camara was rarely troubled, but he commanded his area well during a flurry of Niger corners in stoppage time.
Referee Mehrez Melki signaled eight added minutes, and Niger pushed desperately for an equaliser. A last-ditch effort by Ridouane Assane was blocked in the 96th minute, and when Abdoul Kassali was flagged offside with one final run, Guinea's hard-earned three points were safe.
The result gives Guinea an early edge in a highly competitive Group C, which also includes hosts Uganda, Algeria, and South Africa. For Niger, it was a frustrating start to their fifth CHAN appearance, especially after a promising fourth-place finish in 2022.
Coach Harouna Doula's men now face an uphill battle to keep their quarter-final hopes alive. Guinea, on the other hand, will look to build momentum as they chase another deep run in the tournament.
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