Lamine Camara’s Spot-kick Sends Senegal Into Second CHAN semi-final In 14 Years

CAFs technical study group (TSG) young player of the group stage, Lamine Camara converted from the spot to send Senegal through to only their second semi-final of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) after 14 years.

The home-based Teranga Lions reached the semi-final of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Algeria with a 1-0 victory over the Mourabitoune of Mauritania on Friday evening at the 19 May 1956 stadium in Annaba.

After the first quarter of an hour of play had the two teams gazing at each other though the ball stayed slightly longer with the Senegalese until the 14th minute when the game became open for both teams.

Senegal had the most glaring chance that came courtesy a combo between Malick Mabye and his team-mate Pape Diallo. The latter found himself one-v-one with the goalkeeper but his shot went over the crossbar.

Four minutes after the half hour, Algerian referee Lotfi Boukouassa pointed to the 12-yard after a tackle on Ndiaye in the penalty area following a corner. The decision was confirmed by VAR, and the subsequent penalty was converted by best player of the group stage, Lamine Camara at 34th minute.

The second half was marked by opportunities for the two teams, with Senegal more concerned with preserving their narrow lead, and Mauritania lurking for an equalizer.

The last minutes were more thrilling for the Mauritanian side who intensified their attacks, repelled tenaciously by the Senegalese and the Mourabitoune missed no less than six half chances to equalize as it ended 1-0 for Senegal.

A minute of silence was observed by the two teams at the start of the match in memory of the vice-president of the Mauritanian Football Association, Pape Amghar Dieng. He died on January 24 after Mauritania qualified for the quarter-finals.