CHAN 2022: How things stand after matchday 2 of the African Nations Championship

The African Nations Championship (CHAN 2022) is in full swing in Algeria, with 17 teams battling for supremacy in the biennial continental football tournament. 

Only players who ply their trade in the domestic leagues of Africa are eligible to play in the tournament, so it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase the talents of some lesser-known players from the African continent. 

Read on to find out which teams have started strongest and which have work to do after the second matchday of CHAN 2022.

• CHAN 2022: Results, tables and standings

How things stand after matchday 2 of CHAN 2022

Group A: Hosts Algeria top the table

Hosts Algeria sit proudly atop of Group A after two wins from as many games in their home tournament. A first round 1-0 victory over Libya put them in a strong position and the same scoreline on 17 January against Ethiopia leaves The Greens in pole position after a perfect start to the competition. 

To top the Group, Algeria will need to at least draw against Mozambique who have four points from their first two games. Mozambique started their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Ethiopia before a 3-2 win against Libya saw them maintain their unbeaten record heading into the final group stage match. 

After a draw and two losses, Ethiopia still have the chance to finish second in the group should they beat Libya in their third match. Libya currently sit rock bottom in Group A after two losses in a row. 

Group B: Uganda surge into lead after win and draw

After their first two matches, Uganda are leading the pack in Group B after a win and a draw gave them a current total of four points. Following a first match in which they drew 0-0 with DR Congo, The Cranes put themselves on course for the knockouts with  1-0 win against Senegal courtesy of a goal from Mame Libasse Laye Ngom, and they face bottom-of-the-group team ICôte d’Ivoire on Sunday.

However, Senegal, who had a man sent off in their loss to Uganda, still have a chance of winning the group after beating Côte d’Ivoire in the first round 1-0. On two points, DR Congo are not out of the reckoning either, knowing that a win in their final match against Senegal on Sunday would be enough to see them through. 

Group C: Madagascar

With Morocco pulling out of the tournament at the last minute, 3-0 victories have been handed to each of their opponents in Group C.

It leaves Madagascar and Ghana both top of the group on six points, even though the former have played once and the latter twice. 

Madagascar opened their campaign with an impressive 2-1 win over Ghana to put them in pole position. However, Ghana returned with a 3-1 victory over Sudan in their second match, even after having goalscorer Daniel Afriyie sent off in the 98th minute. 

Sudan are also still in with a chance of progressing to the knockout stages should they win their last group game against Madagascar on Monday. So watch this space, this group is still wide open. 

Group D 

So far, the three teams in Group D have cancelled themselves out, with Angola topping the group on two points having played a game extra than Mali or Mauritania. Both of thE latter two teams have one point apiece, but it hasn't all been as stale as the points table suggests. On 16 January, Mali and Angola played out a six-goal thriller, which ended in a 3-3 draw. 

Group E

Cameroon currently led Group E having won the single match they have played so far 1-0 against Congo last Monday. Niger sit behind them on one point having drawn with Congo on Friday 20 January, meaning it's all to play for in Group E heading closer to the knockout rounds.