Senegal Snatch CHAN 2022 In Dramatic Shootout Against Hosts Algeria

TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) golden boot winner Aymen Mahious (5 goals) and Ahmed Kendouci both missed their penalties as Senegal snapped the CHAN 2022 5-4 on penalties, after a zero-all tie in 90 minutes and Extra time.

After a 14-year absence, the home-based Teranga Lions of Senegal returned to the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 with a bang, winning the trophy against hosts Algeria on Penalties.

Pape Thiaw’s side defeated the much fancied Desert Foxes at a crowded Nelson Mandela stadium in Algiers, on shoot-outs, with goalkeeper Pape Sy the hero, after 90 minutes and an additional half-hour.

Senegal became the first West African side to clinch the silverware meant for home-based players, keeping the country’s extraordinary run on the continent, adding up to wins at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and Beach Soccer AFCON.

The first segment of the game had a classic final written all over it as Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho had his hands full with tackles flying in at lightening quick pace.

The opening forty minutes had no shots on target. Instead, four players were cautioned with onlookers having to deal with the stop-start nature of the game.

Cheikh Sidibé, Lamine Camara and Mamadou Sané were the Senegalese players cautioned, while Abderrahmane Meziane was booked at the other end.

The first shot on target of the final came at the 42nd minute from a set-piece nicely whipped in by Laouafi. Goalkeeper Pape Sy convincingly punched clear, drawing the first half into conclusion.

Algeria had two goalscoring opportunities at the restart created by Belkhiter, first from some wonderful work against Sidebe down the right but Mahious’ effort was flicked out for a corner. The resulting corner was headed wide by Ayoub Abdellaoui.

The home-based Teranga Lions had their first shot on target at the 64th minute. Papa Diallo’s curling effort was straight down the midriff of goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz who was making his way back from suspension, after missing the semi.

Madjid Bougherra had seen enough to warrant him a first change at the 68th minute, bringing off Mohammed Bakir for Ahmed Kendouci.

Pepe Thiaw in order to relief pressure from his side took off the ever had working Serigne koita with 10 minutes left, and introduced Libasse Ngom for some fresh legs. That was it for the regular 90 minutes. Hosts Algeria went the entire tournament without conceding in regular time.

Algeria started first half extra time like they had done with both halves of regular time. Meziane found Belaid with a perfectly weighted ball but the big defender’s header was gathered by Sy, in the 10th minute of first half extra time.

Sy was once more called into action, parrying out a superb half volley from Houssem Mrezigue in the opening exchanges of second half extra time. In the post match penalties, Algeria took a lead for a moment after captain Cheikhou N’diaye’s penalty crashed off the bar. Aymen Mahious presented with a chance to win it, weakly fired straight to Sy who didn’t have to move. In sudden death, Ahmed Kendouci fired wide after Hocine Dehiri had scored to gift Senegal the lead.

Post match penalties

Elhadji Balde ✔️

Djahnit Akram ✔️

Moussa Ndiaye ✔️

Zakaria Draoui ✔️

Moussa Kante ✔️

Soufiane Bayazid ✔️

Cheikhou N’diaye ❌

Laouafi ✔️

Lamine Camara ✔️

Aymen Mahious ❌

Hocine Dehiri ✔️

Ahmed Kendouci ❌