Tag 2022 CHAN

Victory

Abuja, Jan. 28, 2023 (NAN) Algeria marched into the semi-finals of the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in dramatic fashion, after a highly entertaining encounter with Cote D’Ivoire.

The game had to be decided in the dying stages, courtesy of Aimen Mahious’ penalty kick conversion at a packed Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Friday.

The drama-filled encounter lived up to its high expectations with all the ingredients of a quarter-final clash of two of Africa’s football powerhouses.

The action kicked off at a frantic pace with both sides having a go at each other in search of an early lead to the enjoyment of the expectant crowd.

Midfield sensation Zakaria Draoui was unlucky not to put his side ahead in the eighth minute.

This was after doing well to isolate himself from his markers as a cross from Youcef Laouafi found him.

But the now unmarked midfielder saw his header coming off the woodwork.

In an immediate response, the Ivorians should have grabbed the lead when a golden opportunity fell for Aziz Abdoul.

He was found unmarked by Salifou, but he misdirected his strike with nothing but the goal at his mercy.

Again it was the hosts in attack as the game continued to heat up.

This was when a delightful ball from Laouafi, who was a livewire down the left side for the Fennecs, found target man Aimen Mahious.

Mahious’ well-taken header was however acrobatically saved by Ayayi Folly in the 11th minute.

Drama ensued in the 19th minute after Algerian goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz was sent off for an early shower after a dangerous tackle on Abdoul to the disappointment of the hosts.

As fate would have it, minutes later it was The Elephants who were reduced to 10 men.

This was after Kouassi Attohoula was sent off for a dangerous foul on Laouafi, as both sides went into the break with 10 men on the field.

Coming off the break, the two sides continued where they left off, launching attack after attack in search of the all-important opener.

The Fennecs had the first chance of the second stanza after Choahaib Keddad did well to press down the right for a cross to Mahious.

His attempted header was well directed but lacked the firepower as it was saved by the goalkeeper.

Minutes later, 19-year-old William Sankara almost stunned the hosts after unexpectedly firing from the edge of the danger area.

But he was unlucky to see his strike go inches over the bar.

Mahious remained a threat to the Ivorians and again came close to grabbing the lead in the 78th minute.

This was after a cross from Meziane Tahar saw the target man leaping forward for an impressive diving header that found an equally alert Folly who made the save.

The Ivorians continued pressing forward even against the highly vocal crowd and were unlucky not to grab the lead.

This was when substitute Mohamed Zougrana almost made an immediate impact.

That was after a deep run from the midfielder ended with a brilliant strike, which had beaten the goalkeeper but went over the bar.

With just minutes left in additional time, the all-important deciding goal came in dramatic fashion.

This was after Mahious was brought down by Aziz Siahone in a decision that had to be verified by VAR.

The striker stepped up and scored the much-needed winner as the Nelson Mandela stadium erupted in celebration.

Algeria will now await the outcome of Saturday’s match between Niger and Ghana to determine their semi-final opponents.

The match is set to take place at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran on Tuesday. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Test

Abuja, Jan. 23, 2023 (NAN) Mauritania’s coach, Amir Abdou, has shown confidence in his side producing a positive result when they come up against Mali at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria on Tuesday.

Lions of Chinguetti face their biggest test of the tournament so far when they take on the Eagles in their last Group D tie at the the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran.

Abdou is enjoying a 14-game unbeaten run since taking over the side in March last year.

He has admitted that after bagging a point in their opener against Angola following a goalless draw, they will be leaving everything on the pitch.

“We are working very hard and have allowed our players to recover as long as possible. This is a team that is enthusiastic and wants to achieve something.

“It is a team that is very ambitious and wants to be the best,” Abdou told the media in the pre-match press conference on Monday.

“We are optimistic about our next game. We know that we are playing against Mali who were finalists at the last edition. So, they are a very good side.

“Even though we have not lost in 14 games, we must be as humble as possible,” the coach added.

“We are trying to do our best and re-assess our tactics. Let us not forget that we are going to play against Mali.

“This is a very tough team. We saw that they were losing against Angola and then recovered to turn around the result to their favour.

“That kind of mentality is of a team that is very good. So, we know what we are coming up against.

“Mali cannot be compared to Angola. Mali is a team that plays in a very aggressive way. This is a team that has shown strength in character.

“It is a strong team but we shall try to do our best when we face them tomorrow.”

“So far, we have figured out our strength in defence. We have managed to find our balance. So, now we will try to work on our attack. We need to do better to score goals and, against Mali, we shall try to do that.”

Mauritanian midfielder Yacoub Sidi echoed Abdou’s message and said: “We are ready to play against Mali.

“Failure is not an option. My teammates and I are very ready to face Mali and we hope that we shall achieve success tomorrow.”

In what has been dubbed a David versus Goliath match-up, Mali have reached two finals at the CHAN —- 2016 in Rwanda and 2020 in Cameroon.

Mauritania have lost all six games in their two appearances in 2014 in South Africa and 2018 in Morocco.

The Lions of Chinguetti earned their first point at the continental competition organised for players who feature in their domestic leagues when they held Angola to a goalless draw on Friday.

The West African derby between the two neighbours Mauritania and Mali is expected to hold on Tuesday at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium at 1600 GMT.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)