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Guinea Secures Narrow Victory Over Niger in CHAN 2025 Group Stage Opener
A Tense Rematch with a Different Outcome
In a heated rematch of their 2016 CHAN group stage encounter that ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, Guinea emerged victorious this time with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Niger. The match, played under scorching conditions at Kampala’s Nelson Mandela Stadium, saw Mohamed Bangoura become the hero with his 47th-minute strike.
Guinea’s Dominance Rewarded
The Guinean squad controlled much of the game’s tempo, creating several scoring opportunities before finally breaking through early in the second half. Bangoura’s clinical finish capped off a period of sustained pressure from the Syli Nationale, who looked sharper throughout the contest.
Lansana Sylla had nearly given Guinea the lead in the first half with a powerful long-range effort in the 38th minute that narrowly missed its mark. The team’s attacking persistence eventually paid dividends when Bangoura found the back of the net just two minutes after the restart.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
With this crucial victory, Guinea takes an important step toward qualifying from the group stage. Their next challenge comes against South Africa on Monday in what promises to be another intense matchup.
Meanwhile, Niger faces a must-win situation against tournament hosts Uganda in their upcoming fixture. The Mena will need to regroup quickly after this disappointing start to their CHAN campaign.
Tournament Context
The African Nations Championship (CHAN) features national teams composed exclusively of players active in their domestic leagues. This unique format often produces unpredictable results and showcases emerging talent from across the continent.
Guinea’s victory marks their first three points in the competition and puts them in a strong position to advance from Group A. The team will look to build on this momentum as they pursue their first CHAN title.
For more details on this match and other CHAN 2025 coverage, visit RFI’s official report.
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