Orange CHAN 2014 Rises to the Occasion

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the CHAN 2014 is upbeat about its delivery to date of the Orange African Nations Championship. The LOC has ensured that facilities and infrastructure provided are of a standard benefitting that of Africa's Home Champions: the hotel facilities, stadium infrastructure and training facilities as well the tournament experience is equally the same as that experienced during AFCON, if not better.

As the competition goes to its final stages, the LOC CEO, Mr Mvuzo Mbebe, re-articulated the LOC’s commitment in delivering a high quality and seamless tournament that South Africa has become accustomed to. “Africa’s Home Champions are about celebrating African football. CHAN’s main objective is to open up a horizon for all these players who bring domestic leagues to life but most of the time do not get the opportunity to put on a jersey for their national teams. Today we can stand proud to say that CHAN has been nothing else but a brilliant football spectacular displayed by players who a few years ago could only dream about representing their national teams’’, said Mr. Mbebe.

Since the beginning of the tournament, and after 20 matches played, over 30 players have scored over 55 goals, 4 of which have been scored by Bernard Parker of South Africa, whilst others have scored like Ifeanyi Ede, Rabiu Ali, and Christantus Ejike all from Nigeria, as well as by Diogo Alberto from Mozambique, Ibourahima Sidibe from Mali and Junior Sentamu from Uganda. This is an average of 2 goals per match.

The intensity and the competitiveness of this tournament has seen 11 goals scored within 15 minutes of the match, and 9 goals striking the net within 76th and 90th minute of the game. Nigeria remains the leading goal scorer with 12 goals after only 4 matches, followed by the eliminated South Africa and Mozambique who have scored 5 and 4 goals, respectively. Libya and Burundi sharing 3 goals each after 2 matches.

“The number and the quality of goals scored so far shows the quality of football and skill displayed on the pitch and is an indication that this tournament is fast becoming a reservoir for players hungry to make their mark. An average of 2 goals per match, compared to 2.7 goals per match scored during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is quite impressive and it proves the quality of players that the national teams put forward for CHAN” said Mr. Mbebe

Mr Mbebe also said the tournament is gaining momentum as reflected in the increasing number of people attending matches across the 3 host cities. A total of 127 986 have attended matches by match 20, against a total of 197 681 printed and distributed. After 4 matches Cape Town has recorded the highest number of stadium attendance with a total of 74 388 and 18 879 for Athlone Stadium, followed by Free Stadium with 19 021 after 2 matches, and Polokwane recording a total of 11 698 so far.

So far great matches have been played with brilliant skill of football displayed on the pitch. For the quarter finals, Nigeria, led by the continent’s best coach came down from a 3-0 defeat to overturn the game to beat Mprocco 4-3 to become the first West African state to enter the medal zone. Mali were shocked by Zimbabwe from South Africa when they suffered a 2-1 lose. Football fans are urged to get their tickets at Computicket outlets to avoid disappointment as Ghana play DR Congo with strong man Yahya Mohammed in action. The game would be tough but trust Ghana to win and meet Nigeria at the Semi final. Gabon also faces Libya in another game to decide the last Semi finalist. Good luck to the teams that prepared well, but I still say congrats to Coach Keshie who has proved for the African coach.