Senegal won the CHAN-2023 final against Algeria (0-0, 5-4 pens) on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Algiers. The Teranga Lions won their first title in this competition, after a closed match but where they finally knew how to make the difference on penalties.
The poster looked good between Algeria and Senegal, Saturday, February 4, in Algiers for a remake of the CAN-2019 final. But Senegal finally won its first trophy of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) against Senegal (0-0, 5-4 on pens) after a close encounter with few chances.
The match kicks off in a boiling, sold-out Nelson Mandela Stadium. Algeria and Senegal are both playing in 4-3-3 at the start of the match. The Algerians try to put pressure on the opposing defense, but they fail to create danger on several corners obtained (3rd and 5th). The stadium is won over to the cause of the Fennecs, but the Teranga Lions do not seem disturbed by the whistles that accompany their possession of the ball. Like Algeria, they get a corner but that doesn’t work either (8 ‘).
The first strike of the match is at the initiative of Bakir: the Algerian midfielder receives a ball on the left side and transplants in the axis where he arms a strike from 25 meters finally well above the cage of the Senegalese goalkeeper Sy (9 e ). On the Senegalese side, Sané made a good projection toward the opposing camp (12 ‘) but his cross was pushed back by the Algerian defense.
The Teranga Lions rather develop a counter game, while the Fennecs are more illustrated by a possession game at the start of the game. The match was also marred by several faults at the start of the match, and Sidibé was the first to be warned by the referee after a poorly controlled aerial duel with an opposing player (15 ‘). The two teams then chained passing sequences for several minutes, but neither nation managed to create danger.
Another collision resulted in a double warning from Camara and Meziane (23′ ). It’s 2-1 for Senegal on the scoreboard, but still 0-0 on the scoreboard. In the aftermath, a dangerous cross from Senegal was nearly picked up by Mbaye at the far post (24′ ). This finally gives a corner easily cleared by the Algerian defense. Mbaye then gets a full-axis corner 25 meters from the Algerian cage. Sidibé hits hard, but the ball is deflected by the wall (28 ‘).
Sané is cautioned in turn for a poorly controlled tackle on an Algerian player (31 ‘). In the process, Bakir takes the free kick but Sy captures the ball well in his gloves. The first clear chance is long overdue in this match after more than 30 minutes of play. Ndiaye tries a powerful full-axis shot but it escapes the frame of Guendouz (37′ ). Still no shot on target in this encounter. Then Bakir gets a dangerous off-center free kick at the entrance to the Senegalese area: Laouafi hits him directly, but Sy punches the ball in with both fists (43’ ). The two teams logically return to the locker room with a draw at the end of the first period.
A second period similar to the first
When the 22 players returned to the field, Senegal quickly obtained two corners but the two set pieces were unsuccessful (48′ and 49 ‘). Mahious, very discreet since the start of the game, is found shortly after in the Senegalese area, but his shot is deflected for a corner (50 ‘) . The top scorer of the CHAN-2023 (five goals) takes the ball with his head on the set piece that follows but uncrosses his head too much, which goes out of goal.
Upon recovering a ball in midfield, the Senegalese rush towards the opposing cage. Diallo decides to strike at the entrance to the area but the ball escapes the target (57 ‘ ). Still 0-0 between the two nations on the hour mark in this CHAN final with few chances. Diallo tries a curling shot but it is captured without concern by Guendouz (64 ‘). A free kick from the Lions of Teranga did nothing either a few minutes later (70 ‘).
At the start of the last twenty minutes of regulation time, all the ingredients seem to be in place for the two nations to continue this final with extra time… Unless the Fennecs make the difference on yet another corner obtained by Mahious, but the Senegalese defense manages to break free (75 ‘). Kendouci is cautioned for a collision, bringing Algeria to 3-2 on the card table (76’ ).
Ndiaye has a golden opportunity to open the scoring after a defensive error from Fennecs, but he completely unscrews his shot when he was alone against Guendouz at the entrance to the penalty area (77′ ). Kendouci then sends a dangerous cross into the Senegalese area but the ball is cleared for a corner. The Fennecs did not create any danger either on this set piece (83′ ), on the next one obtained in stride (84 ‘) … or on the third in a row (85 ‘).
Diallo attempts a powerful shot that licks Guendouz’s crossbar, but the ball ends up outside the goal (88′ ). In the aftermath, Algeria gets another corner which does not work, the Senegalese defense being imperial in the air (89′ ). After the four minutes of added time, the Lions of Teranga and the Fennecs will have to decide during extra time.
Senegal makes the difference on penalties
Algeria obtained a new corner at the start of the first extra time, but the Teranga Lion’s defense pushed the ball away as on the previous set pieces (94′ ). The show is not on the field… but in the stands which throw a wave. Then Les Fennecs got another corner, but Meziane’s volley ended up wide of the target (97′ ).
Belaïd receives a cross from Meziane and forces Sy to do his best to stop the ball with a stoppage on the ground (99 ‘). This is the first clear chance of this match. Nothing else to report during these fifteen minutes, the two teams change sides for the second extension.
Algeria created a great chance on a half-volley that Sy had to slam for a corner (107 ‘) . In the aftermath, the Fennecs get a well-placed free kick near the Senegalese surface but the ball is pushed back (110 ‘). The Algerians finish this final better, while the Teranga Lions seem to be waiting for the penalty shootout. Kendouci tries a shot at the entrance to the opponent’s box but it goes slightly over the target (115 ‘ ).
Senegal will finally make the difference on penalties at the end of the night… and at the end of boredom.
