CHAN: Sudan Edge Algeria on Penalties to Reach Semi-Finals

The Falcons of Jediane held their nerve in a tense shoot-out at the Amaan Stadium after a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes, with goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja emerging as the hero by saving twice.

Sudan advanced to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after edging Algeria 4-2 on penalties in Zanzibar, setting up a last-four showdown with Madagascar.

The Falcons of Jediane held their nerve in a tense shoot-out at the Amaan Stadium after a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes, with goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja emerging as the hero by saving twice.

Kwesi Appiah’s side, who topped Group D, remain unbeaten in the tournament and continue their remarkable resurgence.

The clash had been billed evenly, with both coaches trading mutual respect pre-match. Algeria’s Madjid Bougherra hailed Sudan’s progress under Appiah, while the Ghanaian tactician insisted his side would attack.

The first half was scrappy but tense. Sudan nearly struck before the interval, only for Salah Adil’s effort to be clawed away by Zakaria Bouhalfaya.

The breakthrough came in the 48th minute when Musa Hussien’s strike was parried, and Algerian defender Ayoub Ghezala inadvertently turned the rebound into his own net.

The Desert Foxes, unbeaten in their last 10 CHAN matches, hit back through Soufiane Bayazid, who bundled home in the 73rd minute after sustained pressure.

Both sides traded late chances, Abooja denying Aimen Mahious twice in extra time, but neither could find a winner.

In the shoot-out, Walieldin Khidir and Mohamed Ahmed Saeed scored for Sudan, as did Bayazid and Mahious for Algeria. But Abooja’s saves from Mehdi Merghem and Zakaria Draoui turned the tide, before Ahmed Tabanja and Mohamed Tia Asad sealed Sudan’s 4-2 triumph.

The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among Sudanese players and fans, marking their third-ever CHAN semi-final appearance. It continues an impressive campaign that has already seen them thrash Nigeria 4-0 and hold champions Senegal.

Sudan will now face Madagascar at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, 26 August, at 17:30 local time.

Algeria, runners-up in 2022, exit earlier than expected, their 10-match unbeaten run ending in heartbreaking fashion. The other semi-final pits Morocco against defending champions Senegal in Kampala later the same day.