CHAN 2022 Group D: three contenders, one ticket
The 7th edition of the CHAN is being held in Algeria from 13 January to 4 February. Drawn in Group D, Mali are one of the favourites.
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Mali the model of consistency
Mali arguably have one of Africa's best home-based national teams of recent years. The local Eagles have shown great consistency on the continental stage for some time now. Proof of that: they have twice been runners-up in the last three editions of the CHAN.
With a very well-balanced squad, the Malians are therefore among the big favourites to lift the trophy on the evening of 4 February, and so improve on the last edition, when they lost to Morocco in the final (2-0).
Angola, the 2011 benchmark
Angola do not have Mali's quality, but they do have a solid record in the tournament to draw on as they hope to make an impact in this seventh edition of the CHAN, in Algeria. The Palancas Negras A' have already reached a final of the African Nations Championship. That was in the 2nd edition in 2011 in Sudan, which was also their very first participation in the competition. It was a fine achievement despite the 3-0 defeat by Tunisia in the final. Twelve years on, the Angolans can still draw on that experience to make their mark and take the only qualifying spot available in this three-team group.
Mauritania, aiming to do better than finishing bottom
Mauritania secured their first ticket to a CHAN finals in 2014, and in fine style. The Mourabitounes A' knocked out their Senegalese neighbours at home (2-0), after losing the first leg in Dakar (1-0).
Their time at the tournament was far less eventful, though. Drawn in Group D alongside Gabon, DR Congo and Burundi, Mauritania finished bottom without a single point. The same fate befell them in 2018 on their second appearance.
Will the Mourabitounes A' manage to reach the quarter-finals for the first time? The task is certainly possible, but it looks a difficult one.
Group D fixtures
16 January, matchday 1
17:00 Mali v Angola, Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran
20 January, matchday 2
17:00 Angola v Mauritania, Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran
24 January, matchday 3
17:00 Mauritania v Mali, Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran