CHAN 2022: Ghana v Madagascar, give us a better show
Ghana v Madagascar in Group C of CHAN 2022. Only one team will go through, as Morocco have decided to boycott.
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To be honest, this 7th edition of the CHAN is yet to get the pulse racing. Over 360 minutes, football fans have been served just two scrappy goals and a mountain of technical errors. Morocco, back-to-back holders of the title and boasting a prolific attack in the last two editions, were due to begin their campaign against Sudan on Sunday but decided to boycott the tournament, which does little to lift the mood. For now, the one bright spot in the gloom in Algeria is the Algerian public. The stadiums are far from empty and, frankly, the fans are providing the atmosphere despite the poor fare on the pitch. Perhaps Sunday night's fixture will repay the supporters. Ghana take on Madagascar in Group C.
Ghana know how to score
The Black Galaxies are back after missing the previous three editions. When they have taken part, they have put on a show. In three appearances, the Ghanaians have reached the final twice (2009 and 2014). And they have always scored in their opening game. In 2009, they shared the points in a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe. They lost 1-2 to South Africa in 2011 before beating Congo 1-0 in 2014. Annor Walker, the Ghana coach, would rather not dwell too much on his country's glorious CHAN past. "We have seen what the previous teams have done, and it is truly remarkable. However, the past is behind us and we are looking forward to what is ahead of us, which we have control over. We are eager to reach the final and lift the cup. That said, we are not thinking about the past, but about the present and what awaits us," the coach said at a press conference.
Madagascar, ambitious newcomers
A word of warning, though: Madagascar have not come to be sacrificial lambs. The Malagasy can score too. In qualifying, they found the net at least once in every match, beating the Seychelles twice (1-0 and 3-0) and edging out Botswana (0-1 and 1-1). They will be making their CHAN debut. But that may not be a problem for the Bareas. They could well follow the example of the A' team, who reached the AFCON quarter-finals in 2019 on their first appearance in the competition. Ghana have been warned.
CHAN 2022: results and full schedule of the competition
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