The Teranga Lions just won it on penalties 5-4 after the two sides played out to a goalless draw after 120 minutes of football
Senegal edged out Algeria 5-4 on penalties to scoop the trophy of the 2022 African Nations Championship last Saturday.
In an exciting final played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers in front of 39,120 spectators, both sides played out a goalless draw after 120 minutes before the game was settled on penalties.
Both sides looked tense at the start of the game as chances were few in between though they grew into their strides before half time.
Goalless at the break, both coaches Madjid Bougherra and Pape Thiaw embarked on substitutions to try and break the deadlock. The tournament’s top scorer, Aimen Mahious tried to conjure up a chance of his own five minutes into the second half but shot well wide.
Senegal responded moments later with a long range effort from Diallo but Algeria were not troubled as the shot went over the bar.
After a goalless second half, Algeria came close to breaking the deadlock in extra time when Abderrahmane Ben Tahar crossed for Zinnedine Belaid whose header was well saved by goalkeeper Pape Mamadou Sy.
The Senegalese goalkeeper was again alert to deny Mrezigue as Senegal held on from the waves of attacks by Algeria to force the game to penalties.
Algeria had the advantage in the penalty shootouts when Cheikhou Omar Ndiaye hit the crossbar with his shot.
However, Aimen Mahious who had the match ball at his feet with the last kick stepped up and got his panenka totally wrong which was picked up by Sy to bring Senegal back into the game.
Ousmane Diouf then put Senegal in the driving seat for the first time in the exercise, piling pressure on Algeria.
Under huge pressure, Ahmed Kendouci stepped up and missed his shot sending the Senegalese into wild celebrations.
The victory has seen Senegal complete a historic treble after winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the Beach Soccer AFCON.
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