Niger coach Doula laments early CHAN exit
Niger coach Harouna Doula could not hide his disappointment after seeing Mena eliminated from Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the group stage of the tournament in Cameroon.
The West African crashed out of the competition, designed exclusively for home-based players, on Monday when they were defeated 2-1 by DR Congo.
The Leopards, who have been ravaged by Covid-19 outbreak in their camp, reached the last eight of the tournament on Monday thanks to a fortuitous 2-1 victory over a gallant Niger side.
A 90th minute howler by Niger goalkeeper Abdoul Razak Halidou allowed the Leopards to win the match in the last minute and end the Mena hopes of advancing.
DR Congo defeat Niger to top group, Halidou blunder proves costly
DR Congo finished top of Group B of the Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020 after beating Niger 2-1 in Yaounde on Monday.
A 90th minute howler by Mena goalkeeper Abdoul Razak Halidou allowed the Leopards to win the match and end their opponents hopes of advancing.
With the score at 1-1 Niger were hoping to win to qualify for the knock-out stage of the tournament until Halidouâs attempt to clear a back pass ended as a gift to Leopards striker Masasi Obenza who gratefully tapped in for the winner.
However, the teams were on level terms a minute after the break. The Congolese started the second half slowly and were punished by Moussa, who also headed in a cross after the defenders gave him space in the danger zone.
With the game tied at 1-1 and seemingly headed for a draw, goalkeeper Abdoul Razak Halidou made a blunder that cost his team a chance in the next round.
He received a back pass and in his attempt to clear, he handed the ball to Masasi who did not hesitate to tap the ball into an empty net and ensure his charges qualified to the next phase of the competition.