CHAN 2018: What You Need to Know About the Competition So Far

For a few days now, the continent of Africa has witnessed a tournament that has showcased the home-based football talents. The 2018 African Nations Championship, also called CHAN, features 16 teams consisting totally of players plying their trade in the local leagues.

The tournament which kicked off last Saturday has seen some amazing score lines, boring games and some amazing facilities. With the second round of games set to kick off later today, what do you need to know about CHAN 2018?

1. Morocco, the perfect place for the tournament

After seeing the lush pitches and the amazing facilities made available by the Moroccan government for this tournament, it’s hard to imagine if any other country would have done a better job as regards hosting this competition.

And it’s not just the facilities. Although it is not the biggest football competition on the continent, it has found a way to attract a fair number of fans each and every game.

2. It has been a low-scoring tourney

Did you say typical of African football? Well, it’s not been all gloom since the competition began.

The first two games of the competition produced 7 goals. The following two had 5 goals in them. Then the next four games featured only 4 goals, 3 scored by Libya and one scored by the fast players of Congo.

3. Qualification is still open to all

The tournament is still very much in its early stages so maybe it’s too early to start talking about qualification. But then again, looking at the various tables, qualification is still very much available to all the teams playing, both the teams who have a -4 goals difference and the ones with a +3 goals difference.

4. Home advantage for the North Africans

If you’ve seen the way both Morocco and Libya played in their first game of the tournament, you will understand what we’re talking about here. From being able to attract a fair number of very noisy fans into the stadium to playing quick, fast-paced and aggressive football, the North Africans have laid down the gauntlet.

Morocco scored four in their first game without conceding any goal. The Libyans scored 3 goals in their first game without conceding a goal too.

5. The West Africans are still asleep

While Congo made life hard for Rigobert Song’s Cameroon, Nigeria’s Eagles made life difficult for themselves after failing to convert all the chances that went begging in their game against Rwanda.

While Nigeria is placed second on the table, the Cameroonians, no thanks to the late goal they conceded, are now rock-bottom in their group.

Have you seen any game at the ongoing CHAN 2018? What do you think of the competition? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.