Senegal Crowned Champions Of CHAN 2022 After Beating Algeria

Senegal have beaten host nation Algeria 5-4 on penalty shootouts at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers to be crowned winners of the 2022 African Nations Championship.

The hosts began on a blistering note with two corner kicks to themselves in the opening four minutes of the game but had all their deliveries checked by the opposition defence.

The Lions of Teranga also started settling so well in the game, and decided to push more men forward in search of the opener.

On the 12th minute, Mamadou Sane breaks from the right and raced into opposition territory but his cross was dealt with nicely by the Algeria defence.

Another deep ground teasing cross arrived from the left to locate Malick Mbaye at far post but was subsequently checked by captain Ayoub Abdellaoui to a wasted corner kick.

The Senegalese maintained their dominance at the start of the second half with two continuous corner kicks but couldn’t make all of them count.

Quick response on the 49th minute as Aimen Mahious nearly scored from a corner kick he had won earlier but his connection missed the target.

Both teams after the half hour mark, took the game at each other, leaving an even exchanges with the two attacking with so much purpose and intent.

Ousmane Diouf nearly scored into his own net from Mokhtar Belkhiter’s but luckily for him the ball rolled out for a corner kick which resulted into nothing.

18 year old playmaker Papa Amadou Diallo turned off his marker beautifully to send a powerful hit but missed the post by inches for a restart.

It ended goalless after full time and the game travelled into extra time. Algeria nearly scored on the 100th minute mark but Zineddine Belaid’s header was gathered calmly by Pape Mamadou Sy.

Senegal subsequently won 5-4 on penalties to win the African Nations Championship for the first time in history.