David GOMBE
Guinea kicked off its 2024 CHAN campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Niger in the group C contest on Monday.
This was also the maiden CHAN final tournament game to be hosted at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
Mohamed Bangoura scored the all important goal for Guinea in the second half of the close contest.
Bangoura gave Guinea the lead two minutes after the recess following a goalless first half.
Guinea and its few travelling faithfuls had to wait for a moment after the goal had been earlier cancelled by the assistant referee for offside but referee Mehrez Melik awarded it after a VAR assessment.
Alhassane Bangoura, Aboubacar Bangoura and Mohamed Diabate all came close.
With 15 minutes to regulation time, Abdoul Latif Diori had a golden opportunity to restore parity for Niger who were semifinalists in the previous edition but headed wide.
Guinea powered to maximum points at full-time whistle and go to top of group C and next face co-hosts Uganda on Friday night.
Niger will hope to make amends when they return to action on Monday also against Uganda.
Group C has Uganda, Algeria, Guinea, South Africa and Niger.
Niger’s Starting XI
Mahamadou Kassali (GK), Adamou Ibrahim Zataou, Ridouane Assane Sani, Abdoul Rafiou Oladipo, Moussa Kassa, Mohamed Moumouni (C), Ibrahim Djingarey Mansourou, Nourou Yacouba Ali, Abdoul Goumey Diori, Bilal Hamadou, Theodore Jules
Guinea’s Starting XI
Ousmane Camara (GK), Mohamed Bangoura, Bangaly Cisse, Ousmane Drame, Mohamed Camara (C), Aboubacar Bangoura, Alhassane Bangoura, Moussa Camara, Lansana Sylla, Mohamed Diabate, Kabinet Kouyate
