CHAN newcomers Madagascar stun Ghana in opener

Madagascar included their name in the CHAN history books after defeating Ghana 2-1 in their first-ever game at African Nations Championship on Sunday night in the Algerian city of Constantine.

The southern Africans recorded their much-deserved win and three points to go top of Group C and announce their presence in Algeria in fine fashion.

Goals by Solomampionona Razafindranaivo and Tokinantenaina Randriatsiferana after 10 and 61 minutes gave the Indian Ocean nation a two-goal advantage.

Augustine Agyapong halved the deficit on 67 minutes, but persistent late pressure from the west Africans failed to deliver an equaliser in the Group C opener.

Ghana was awarded a penalty just after the first Malagasy goal and Daniel Afriyie was about to take it when the referee opted to check the VAR touchline monitor, then reversed his decision.

Morocco was due to play Sudan in the first match of a double-header but withdrew from the tournament after being refused permission to fly directly to Constantine.

Algeria closed its airspace to all Moroccan flights in September 2021, a month after severing diplomatic ties, accusing its neighbour of “hostile acts”.

Morocco won the last two editions, hammering Nigeria 4-0 in Casablanca in 2018 and defeating Mali 2-0 in Yaoundé two years ago to become the first back-to-back CHAN champions.

Monday will see the opening matches in two sections with Mali meeting Angola in Group D before Cameroon face Congo Brazzaville in Group E.

Both matches are in Oran. While the CHAN is restricted to footballers playing in their country of birth, matches carry full international status and result count toward the world rankings.

📹 Match Highlights: 🇲🇬 2-1 🇬🇭

The only #TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 debutants beat the two-times silver medalists! Relive the most important moments of the game.#MADGHA | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/JCO12iaBh5
— MARHABA (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2023

AFP News – Full Chan Fixtures are attached.

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