CHAN: Sudan eject Algeria with penalty shootout victory

Sudan are now carrying the flag for East African football at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after progressing to the semifinals with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Algeria following their 1-1 draw at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Saturday evening.

A subdued first half resulted in a tense opening 45 minutes between the teams with Sudan looking slightly more likely to score. Sudan came close to opening the scoring in the 22nd minute when strong striker Mohamed Teya took down a pass and launched a rasping drive that went just over the goal of Algeria keeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya.

Algeria’s best chance in the first half came through Aymen Mahious whose 40th minute header from a corner kick was tipped just wide by Sudan shot stopper Mohamed El Nour.

But a strong start to the second half put the Sudanese on the front foot courtesy of poor play from the Algerians. A careless pass across their own penalty area led to an interception for talented young Sudan forward Hussein Musa Ali. In on goal, Musa’s shot was tipped over to Teya and a desperate tackle poked the ball away from the forward towards the Algerian goal where defender Ayoub Ghezala’s clearance attempt went into his own goal.

Algeria fought back and it was substitute forward Soufiane Bayazid who pulled Les Verts level in the 73rd minute. Bayazid jumped to challenge El Nour following Abderrahmane Meziane’s chipped pass into the Sudanese six-yard box and El Nour spilled the ball for Bayazid to poke in.

Tied after ninety minutes at 1-1, extra time did little to separate the teams and a penalty shootout was needed. El Nour saved from Mehdi Merghem on Algeria’s third attempt and then saved again from Zakaria Draoui after Bouhalfaya responded with a save of his own on Sudan’s fourth attempt.

Teya then stepped up to deliver the winning penalty with aplomb, sending Sudan through to face Madagascar in the semifinals on August 26. They will feature in the early match on Tuesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam before Morocco clash with Senegal later in the day in Kampala, Uganda.