Rwanda shows Africa the way

As the 2016 African Nations Championship enters the knockout stage, it will be worth noting that almost everything has fallen into place, at least as far as the organizers are concerned. The African Nations Championship, commonly known as CHAN, is arguably the second most important tourney in Africa after the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The CHAN Championships offer a platform to the local-based African players plying trade in their native nations

Host nation Rwanda has not disappointed either, the Amavubi confirming their place in the last eight albeit after an ignominious defeat at the hands of Morocco at a packed Amahoro Stadium, with the Head of state Paul Kagame among the dignitaries in their opener against Cote d'Ivoire.

The arenas have been in tip top condition, Amahoro with a well-manicured lawn and other AstroTurf pitches in Rubavu, Huye and Nyamirambo playing their bit in making this edition a tournament to remember.

President Kagame, himself an ardent lover of the game, has spared no expense to see that the rest of the continent leaves Rwanda with sweet lingering memories of a vintage fiesta.

Having ably hosted the regional Cecafa cup myriad times, this tiny nation of ten million people has demonstrated its ability to host larger sporting events, the Africa cup of nations chief among them.

Defending champions Libya failed to make it out of a tough group, and joined the likes of Morocco, Uganda and pre-tournament favorites Nigeria on early flights home.

We take a skeleton look at the games that defined the direction of this edition, up to this stage where you lose, you leave, and the winner takes all.

Rwanda vs Cote d’Ivoire

The hosts repaid their faith to their ever loyal crowd with a gritty win over the Elephants of Ivory Coast at a charged Amahoro National Stadium. Parading almost half of the team picked from top Army side APR, the Amavubi held off a late Ivorian onslaught to get their campaign well on track, defender Emery Bayisenge [below] curling home a sweet free-kick to send his country buzzing. There was no looking back for them.



Guinea vs Nigeria

Nigeria came into this tie needing only a point to advance to the quarters, but perhaps this notion sent them to shut off and drop their guard, their opponents throwing everything at them.

The Syli Nationale gave Sunday Oliseh’s side no room to play, and even the introduction of tournament revelation Chikatara late on could not faze the men from Conakry. Ibrahima Sory struck before the break to condemn the Super Eagles to a shock early flight home.

Uganda vs Zimbabwe

The Cranes of Uganda gave themselves too much to do when they allowed Zambia skipper Chris Katongo to rise unattended and head home to help Chipolopolo to three crucial points in an earlier fixture.

Uganda needed to thrash an already eliminated Zimbabwe by at least three goals and hope for a Zambia win over stubborn Mali.

The game ended even, William Manondo with a cracker for Zimbabwe before second half substitute Geoffrey Sserunkuma drew Uganda level in stoppage time. Zambia and Mali meanwhile cancelled each other out in a dour affair, both sides advancing to the quarters.

Nigeria vs Tunisia

In a game that was highly billed to produce goals, only two were scored, either side, as the tournament’s two heavy weights cancelled each other out. It was an afternoon of sleek passing and fast movement, but in the end both teams appeared content with a tie. It was to prove an expensive one for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria stamped their authority on the first match, thanks to second half goals by the late substitute Chisom Chikatara who inspired the side to a 4-1 thumping of the hapless Menas.

Nigeria thought that they were poised for the ultimate prize, reducing their momentum in the second match against Tunisians.

This match proved the group’s decider since the winner would have one leg into the knockout stages.

However, the draw spelt doom as the real battle was to be felt on the last group matches in which the winners were sure of making it to the final eight.

The other teams had also played to a draw, meaning they had 2 points each with Nigeria on 4 points.

DR Congo vs Cameroon

Having secured a slim win against Angola and a draw against the Ethiopians, the Indomitable Lions had no option but to increase dominance against the on-form DR Congo.

The Lingala boys were after good runs against Ethiopia and Angola where they registered a hundred per cent record, accumulating +5 goals in return.

The Lions were already scratched and their survival was preying on the Leopards, hoping that the Walias did not heavily beat Angola in the other corresponding match.

As a result, Cameroon beat DR Congo 3-1 to emerge the group leaders with DR Congo cruising as the runners-up after the electrifying last match encounter.