THE SECOND OPINION

By Our Reporter

The line-up for next year’s Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cameroon has been completed after completion of the qualification rounds.

Nigeria were shocked on Saturday despite a 2-0 home victory over Togo in the second leg of their regional tie. The Togolese won 4-3 on aggregate and it will be their first appearance in the biennial competition.

Ghana Black Stars also failed to secure a place at the African Nations Championship finals (Chan) following a 0-0 away draw with Burkina Faso on Sunday. A 1-0 loss in the first leg in Ghana, proved decisive as it ensured a 1-0 aggregate win for Burkina Faso.

Uganda Cranes made their fifth appearance at the 16-team tournament, having played at four CHAN champions in 2011 (Sudan), 2014 (South Africa), 2016 (Rwanda) and lately 2018 (Morocco).

The Cranes defeated Burundi 3-0 in Kampala to go through 6-0 on aggregate while Rwanda narrowly got past Ethiopia 2-1 overall to qualify after a 1-1 draw in Kigali.

Striker Patrick Kaddu and Zimbabwean Prince Dube were the top scorers throughout the qualification campaign with 4 goals each.

Djibouti and Gabon were banned as they withdrew during the 2018 African Nations Championship qualification.

Cameroon qualify automatically as 2020 hosts, Matches will be held in Yaounde, Limbe, Garoua and Bafoussam.

The date for the group stage draw will be announced by Caf in due course.

The competing national teams in this championship must be composed of only players playing in their domestic league.

Despite CHAN matches only featuring locally-based footballers, the games have full international status and count toward the monthly FIFA rankings.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have won it twice, holding it the most times while Morocco are the defending champions.

Qualified teams for Cameroon 2020:

Cameroon (hosts), Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Namibia, Togo (debut), Morocco, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Congo, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, Mali.