Niger beat giants Ghana 2-0 in Oran on Saturday to reach the semi-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time.An own goal from Konadu Yiadom and a stunner from Soumana Hainikoye Boubacar helped the Menas to the decisive victory at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in the Algerian city.FULL-TIME! ⏰ A goal each half secure a historic quarter-final victory for Niger against Ghana 👏 #TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 | #NIGGHA pic.twitter.com/YczZVlnKzY— MARHABA (@CAF_Online) January 28, 2023 Niger, in their third outing at the stadium in Oran, showed a good mastery of the pitch they have gone for three games without conceding a goal and did not allow the Ghanaians to play their normal game of controlling the affair.Coach Harouna Doula’s team took the lead in the 11th minute when Imarana Dan Baro’s shot deflected off the head of Yiadom to beat goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim.🇳🇪 Niger are #TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 semi-finalists 👏 A huge achievement for the Ménas 💫 pic.twitter.com/eSt087lgfB— MARHABA (@CAF_Online) January 28, 2023 The Black Galaxies then took total control of ball possession, but found it hard to go past a solid Mena defence with the pressure rather on the Ghanaian shot stopper.Goalkeeper Danlad was kept busy all night, as Abdoul Aziz Ibrahim, Imarana Dan Baro and Faycal Abdoulaye piled pressure on the Ghanaians and tested him on as many occasions.Niger returned from the pause looking more determined, as they multiplied onslaughts in Ghana’s defence. Those efforts yielded dividends at the 50th minute, when Soumana Hainikoye Boubacar curled in from the edge of the box to double Niger’s lead.##NAJAVA_MECA_6978710##Thoughts of a possible comeback for Ghana were far-fetched, as the Mena showed resilience throughout the game to secure their third consecutive clean sheet and a 2-0 win.The result means Niger have reached the semi-final for the first time in their fourth participation. Their previous best record was a quarter-final appearance in 2011.They will face hosts Algeria in the semi-final of the CHAN 2022 on Tuesday.Mashemeji Derby: Gor Mahia out to extend imperious record against arch rivals AFC LeopardsMadagascar vs MozambiqueIn the other mathch, debutants Madagascar cruised to the semi-finals after defeating Mozambique 3-1 in a thrilling game on Saturday.The Barea were in fine form at the Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine showing that their progress in the tournament has not been by luck.The fairytale continues for Madagascar 🤩🔥#TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 pic.twitter.com/pildk9Ct4A— MARHABA (@CAF_Online) January 28, 2023 Solomampionona Koloina Razafindranaivo opened the scoring in the 18th minute after cutting into the box on the right before swinging a left-footed effort into the back of the net that left Mozambican goalkeeper Victor flat-footed.Madagascar started the second half from where they left off in the first with numerous runs at goal and were rewarded in the 67th minute when Jean Razafindrakoto doubled the lead to give the Barea a comfortable cushion.HISTORICAL 👏 🇲🇬 Madagascar reach the #TotalEnergiesCHAN semi-finals for the first-time ever 🆕#TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 pic.twitter.com/JVlS786yD0— MARHABA (@CAF_Online) January 28, 2023 Razafindrakoto made a fine run from the left wing connecting to a Dax pass to send a powerful shot past Victor who tried to deny him but the effort was too good.Marcio Ravelomanantsoa put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute off a good counterattack on the left thanks to a good ball from Martin Rakotorina in the midfield to give Madagascar a deserved 3-0 lead.Madagascar are now into the semi-finals of the CHAN at the first time of asking. They will face Senegal who defeated Mauritania 1-0 on Friday in Annaba.
