Guinea made a perfect start to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 on Monday as they edged Niger in the first game of Group C played at Mandela National Stadium.
The closely contested game saw Guinea earn a 1-0 win over Niger courtesy of Mohamed Bangoura’s second half strike.
Niger had the game’s first realistic chance, coming as early as the fourth minute but Guinea’s goalkeeper Ousmane Camara was quick off his line to thwart danger.
Besides the above chance, the opening quarter an hour was sloppy with either side opting for a cautious approach. However, the next minutes saw the two teams open up and indeed got chances.
In the 18th minute, Aboubacar Bangoura blasted wasted. Two minutes later He turned provider for Mohamed Diabate but the latter did not jump high enough to head on target.
Two minutes after the hour mark, Guinea had a penalty appeal turned down when Alhassane Bangoura felt he was impeded in thw box. Niger made a quick break and had the ball into the back of the net through Abdoul Latif Diori but he was flagged for offside.
Seven minutes before the break, Niger had goalkeeper Mahamadou Kassali to thank when Lansana Syllia low drive deflected off his teammate but the shot-stopper was able to parry the ball onto the upright.
The deadlock was broken two minutes after recess with defender Mohammed Bangoura finishing from close range. The goal was cancelled for offside but after a VAR assessment, centre referee Mehrez Melik pointed to the centre.
Thereafter, Guinea had a flurry of chances with Alhassane Bangoura, Aboubacar Bangoura and Mohamed Diabate all coming close.
Niger had a glorious opportunity to level matters, 15 minutes from time but Diori headed wide with goakeeper Camara off his line.
Despite attempts by Niger to find the leveller, Guinea defended resiliently to claim all three points and set the pace in Group C.
Guinea will return to action on Friday against hosts Uganda while Niger will have a week’s rest and face Uganda on Monday next week.
Group C has Uganda, Algeria, Guinea, South Africa and Niger.
Niger’s Starting XI
Mahamadou Kassali (GK), Adamou Ibrahim Zataou, Ridouane Assane Sani, Abdoul Rafiou Oladipo, Moussa Kassa, Mohamed Moumouni (C), Ibrahim Djingarey Mansourou, Nourou Yacouba Ali, Abdoul Goumey Diori, Bilal Hamadou, Theodore Jules
Guinea’s Starting XI
Ousmane Camara (GK), Mohamed Bangoura, Bangaly Cisse, Ousmane Drame, Mohamed Camara (C), Aboubacar Bangoura, Alhassane Bangoura, Moussa Camara, Lansana Sylla, Mohamed Diabate, Kabinet Kouyate
