Guinea kicks off CHAN 2024 in style thanks to Bangou
The 20-year-old forward netted two minutes into the second half, calmly slotting home after latching onto a well-timed pass from Mohamed Diabate.
PHOTOS: Ismail Mulangwa, Johnson Were and Michael Nsubuga
By Yekoyada Saaka
Journalists @New Vision
CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
August 2-30
Group C
Monday Result
Niger 0 Guinea 1
Mohamed Salio Bangou struck the decisive goal as Guinea edged Niger 1-0 in their Group C opener of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Monday.
The 20-year-old forward netted two minutes into the second half, calmly slotting home after latching onto a well-timed pass from Mohamed Diabate. Initially ruled out for offside, the goal was later awarded following a VAR review, which confirmed Bangou had timed his run perfectly.
Guinea dominated proceedings and created several clear-cut chances, especially in the second half, but wasteful finishing denied them a more comfortable scoreline. Despite their profligacy in front of goal, the Syli Nationale held on for a deserved victory.
Niger thought they had broken the deadlock early in the 32nd minute of the first half through Latif Goumey, but his effort was disallowed for offside. The Menas applied late pressure in search of an equaliser, but Guinea’s defence remained resolute to take all three points.
Bangou’s performance earned him the Man of the Match accolade.
The result lifted Guinea to the top of Group C with three points. As of press time, co-hosts Uganda were preparing to take on Algeria in the other group fixture. South Africa is the other team in group C.
The top two teams in each group of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament after the group stage matches.
