It’s all systems ready as the African Nations Championship (CHAN) enters the second last round this week, with just four teams; DR Congo, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali, remaining in contention for the coveted piece of silverware.

The quarterfinals concluded over the weekend, serving followers of the beautiful game across the beautiful continent,Africa with two shock results; Rwanda’s Amavubi fairly tale run was brought to a painful halt in the hands of neighbors DR Congo who beat them 2-1 in the extra time, before a capacity crowd at Amahoro Stadium on Saturday.

TP Mazembe’s Padou Bompunga scored the heartbreaker in the 112th minute; Amavubi’s Ernest Sugira had equalized Doxa Gikanji opener in the first half for a 1-1 normal time scoreline.

Another unprecedented result came a day later when Mali astonished favorites Tunisia by a similar scoreline at Kigali Stadium. The North Africans scored through Ali Monser in the 14th minute before Aliou Dieng’ leveled from the spot in the 70th minute. Abdoulaye Diarra’s 80th minute strike did all the damage as the Carthage Eagles were stunned and bundled out of the championship.

In the other quarterfinals; Ivory Coast thumped rivals Cameroon 3-0 in the extra time, and Guinea knocked out Zambia 5-4 on post match penalties, after a barren draw in normal time.

DR Congo will now face off with Guinea in the first semifinals tie on Wednesday,February 3, at Amahoro, and a day later Ivory Coast will meet fellow West Africans Mali at the same venue.

The grand finals, and the third playoff are set for Sunday 7, at Amahoro.

Semifinal Fixtures:

DR Cingo vs Guinea, Wednesday 3, Amahoro Stadium.

Ivory Coast vs Mali, Thursday 4, Amahoro Stadium.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com