In a gripping encounter at the Orlando Stadium, Egypt’s national team showcased strategic acumen by securing a 1-1 draw against South Africa in the first leg of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers. This result sets the stage for an electrifying second leg in Cairo on March 9.
South Africa, under coach Molefi Ntseki, unveiled a formidable attacking lineup featuring talents such as Monnapule Saleng, Terrence Mashego, and Jamie Webber. Despite this, the Pharaohs’ defensive strategy, spearheaded by goalkeeper Mohamed Kassem, nullified the early threats posed by the hosts.
Early in the match, South Africa’s Saleng narrowly missed capitalizing on a cutback, and Neo Maema’s curling effort was thwarted by Kassem’s reflexive save. Egypt’s defensive resilience allowed them to absorb pressure and counterattack effectively.
In the 75th minute, Egypt seized their opportunity. A well-executed long ball from Kassem found its way to Hassan Abdelaal, who volleyed a sensational strike from outside the box, putting the visitors ahead. This moment underlined Egypt’s tactical patience and precision.
South Africa, however, was quick to respond. Jamie Webber equalized with a powerful long-range shot that found the top corner, bringing the home crowd to their feet and leveling the score.
Football analyst Ahmed Hossam attributed Egypt’s strong performance to their disciplined approach: “The Pharaohs demonstrated exceptional defensive organization and tactical flexibility, essential qualities for success in away fixtures.”
Elsewhere in CHAN qualifiers, Malawi delivered a clinical performance to defeat Comoros 2-0. Binwell Katinji’s opener, coupled with Zebron Kalima’s stoppage-time goal, gave Malawi a comfortable lead heading into their home leg on March 8.
Meanwhile, Gambia and Gabon played out a goalless draw at Senegal’s Stade Lat Dior. Gabon’s defensive resilience earned them a crucial away result, positioning them favorably for their return leg.
According to recent statistics from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the CHAN tournament is witnessing increased competitive balance, with away teams securing vital results more frequently, a trend that emphasizes the evolving dynamics of African football.
As the qualifiers progress, all teams are poised for the decisive second-leg matches. Egypt, in particular, will look to capitalize on their home advantage, driven by the fervor of Cairo’s passionate fanbase.
