Latest news with #2024TotalEnergiesAfricanNationsChampionship
CAF
16-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
DR Congo to face Algeria in CHAN friendly, Leopards to camp in North Africa
Published: Wednesday, 16 July 2025 As part of their final preparations for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), two-time champions DR Congo will embark on a high-intensity training camp in Algeria, where they are also scheduled to face the host nation in a crucial pre-tournament friendly. Following a short camp in Kinshasa from July 16 to 20, head coach Otis Ngoma and his 36-man home-based squad will travel to Algeria from July 21 to 30 for the decisive phase of their build-up to CHAN 2024, which kicks off on August 2 across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The highlight of the Algeria camp will be a marquee friendly match against the Algerian national team, one of Africa's top footballing nations. The match offers the Leopards a perfect dress rehearsal ahead of what promises to be a fiercely competitive group stage campaign. DR Congo are drawn into Group A — widely regarded as the 'Group of Death' — alongside co-hosts Kenya, Morocco, Angola, and Zambia. With such formidable opponents awaiting, Ngoma is placing strong emphasis on tactical readiness, fitness, and cohesion during the Algeria camp. 'This camp and the friendly against Algeria are crucial for testing our level,' said a member of the technical team. 'Facing a nation of Algeria's calibre just days before the tournament will give our players the competitive edge they need heading into the group stage.' The Leopards qualified for CHAN 2024 after a commanding performance over Chad (1-1 away, 3-1 home), showcasing their intent to return to the continental summit after missing the previous edition in 2022. Otis Ngoma's squad is a mix of experience and emerging talent, drawn exclusively from the domestic league. Powerhouses like TP Mazembe, AS Maniema Union, FC Lupopo, and AC Rangers have heavily contributed to the 36-man list, reflecting the depth of the Congolese league. With past CHAN titles in 2009 and 2016, DR Congo will look to use their Algeria experience to fine-tune their quest for a record-extending third championship.
CAF
15-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Guinea begin pre-CHAN 2024 training camps in Morocco and Cameroon
Published: Tuesday, 15 July 2025 Guinea have stepped up their preparations for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a two-phase training programme in Morocco and Cameroon as they target a breakthrough performance at the continental tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Syli Local touched down in Morocco on Sunday to begin a six-day intensive camp, which will run from July 13 to 19, before they travel to Douala, Cameroon, for a final warm-up series of friendlies ahead of the competition's August 2 kickoff. Head coach Souleymane Camara and his technical team are overseeing daily double sessions in North Africa as the West African side looks to fine-tune tactics, build fitness, and foster team cohesion. The team is scheduled to play two high-level warm-up matches in Douala against fellow CHAN 2024 participants Burkina Faso (July 24) and Central African Republic (July 28). The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) confirmed that both friendlies, along with all training sessions, will be held behind closed doors to ensure maximum focus and tactical secrecy. This year's tournament marks Guinea's fourth appearance at CHAN, having previously featured in 2016, 2018, and 2020. The Syli Local's best run came in 2016 and 2020, when they reached the semi-finals but fell short of reaching the final – losing to DR Congo and Mali respectively. Coach Camara is hopeful that this carefully structured preparation schedule will give his players the competitive edge required to go all the way. 'We want to break the barrier and reach the final for the first time,' he said ahead of the training camp. Guinea have been drawn in a tricky Group C alongside Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger – a group that promises high drama and fierce competition. The team's experience, mixed with fresh local talent, could make them a serious threat in the race for continental glory. CHAN 2024 runs from 2 to 30 August across three host nations – Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – and features 16 of Africa's top national teams composed exclusively of home-based players.
CAF
09-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Guinea coach Camara looks beyond scoreline in CHAN 2024 preparations
Published: Wednesday, 09 July 2025 Guinea's home-based national team wrapped up a vital stage of their 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) build-up this week, using back-to-back clashes with regional rivals Senegal to sharpen their competitive edge ahead of the tournament. Although the Syli Local lost the second match 1-0 in Diamniadio on Monday—following a goalless draw in the first leg—head coach Souleymane Camara says his side came away with more than just a result. 'Performance, not the scoreboard, was our main focus,' said Camara, who led the team through five days of intensive preparation split between Conakry and Dakar. 'We wanted to give every player time on the pitch. These games offered us real test conditions to fine-tune our game plan.' The two encounters, far from gentle friendlies, were fiercely contested, highlighting the stakes involved even before the CHAN group stages begin in August. Camara underlined the competitive tone of the fixtures. 'It wasn't a friendly for us. This was high-intensity football. "These games were rich in lessons, and we'll go back with valuable footage and insights to help us fix the details before the tournament kicks off.' Despite the narrow defeat, Camara expressed optimism about the overall structure of the team, particularly in defence. 'Our organisation at the back held firm under pressure, which is encouraging. Offensively, we lacked sharpness in the final third. That's an area we're targeting in the next phase.' Guinea will now shift their base to Morocco, where an extended training camp is expected to further refine tactics, fitness, and cohesion ahead of CHAN 2024, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Drawn into Group C, Guinea will face stiff competition against Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger. But with valuable match rhythm and tactical clarity gained from their Senegal outings, the West Africans will be eyeing a strong tournament start in early August.
CAF
10-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Boulbina brace seals Algeria's TotalEnergies CHAN qualification
Published: Saturday, 10 May 2025 Algeria booked their place at the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) in style with a commanding 3-0 win over Gambia in Annaba on Friday. The result secured a 3-0 aggregate victory for the North Africans, who had held the Scorpions to a goalless draw in Bakau in the first leg of the playoff last week. After a cautious and goalless first half at the Stade du 19 Mai 1956, Algeria came alive in the second period with an explosive attacking display, led by Adil Boulbina and Bouras Akram. The breakthrough came just 40 seconds after the restart when Abderrahmane Meziane struck a low shot across the goalkeeper to open the scoring. But it was the introduction of Adil Boulbina, the leading scorer in the Algerian domestic league, that proved decisive. The 22-year-old forward, who plies his trade with Paradou AC, struck twice in the final 15 minutes, both goals assisted by the excellent Bouras Akram of MC Alger. Boulbina's first came in the 76th minute with a clever lob over the onrushing Gambian keeper after timing his run perfectly down the left. He added his second in stoppage time, finishing coolly from a tight angle to complete the rout and send Algeria into the group stage of the CHAN finals. Coach Madjid Bougherra's side were made to work hard in the first leg but were clinical at home, taking full advantage of a vastly improved playing surface compared to the one they faced in Bakau. With this victory, Algeria joins Uganda, Guinea, and Niger in Group C of the CHAN 2025 finals, to be played in August. They will be joined by either South Africa or Malawi, who face off in the final remaining play-off fixture. The performance will boost Algeria's hopes of improving on their runner-up finish at the last CHAN edition, especially with Boulbina and Akram developing into a deadly attacking duo.
