Senegal becomes the first nation from West Africa to win the African Nations Championship CHAN title after defeating hosts Algeria 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

Both teams played to a goalless 90 minutes plus extra time on Saturday at the Stade de Nelson Mandela in front of 39,120 spectators on a cold winter night.

The victory marked Senegal’s first-ever CHAN trophy, just a year after winning the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2021 (held in 2022) after overcoming Egypt on penalties in the final. It was Senegal’s first-ever triumph at the continental showpiece.

Despite the disappointment of losing on home soil, fans of the Desert Foxes, who were present at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in the southern suburbs of Algiers, cheered on the players as they made it to the CHAN final for the first time.

Senegal’s head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, acknowledged the strong mentality of his young Lions.

“The young team have suffered in a match like that,” he noted. “We played against a good team in Algeria, which didn’t concede any goals and scored lots of goals in this tournament.

“We were really ready to suffer – we wanted to honour our country. I think these players showed their character that is why we won this trophy. Congratulation to these kids.”

They also won the Fair Play prize at the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

This tournament is for players playing in home domestic competitions. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Morocco are the most successful teams in this competition, with two titles each, followed by Tunisia, Libya and Senegal a title, respectively.

TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN)

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Madagascar striker Jean Razafindrakoto hit a late goal to give them a hard-fought 1-0 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) win against Niger on Friday to clinch third place in the competition, CAF reports. 

Razafindrokoto scored the winner in the 90th minute to seal the win at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in the Algerian city of Oran.

The win capped a pleasing first CHAN tournament for the Berea, who stunned several favourites on their path to the third-place playoff match.

Goalkeeper Mahamadou Djibo could have done better in dealing with a shot from substitute Tendry Manovo a few minutes before the end of the match.

Razafindrokoto scored what turned out to be the winner after Djibo deflected a shot from Manovo into the path of the forward, who accepted the gift.

TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN)

WHAT A DEBUT! 👏

🇲🇬 Madagascar are the first team to win a #TotalEnergiesCHAN medal in their first appearance since Nigeria in 2014! 🥉 #TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 pic.twitter.com/kO6EgO9Qpt

— MARHABA (@CAF_Online) February 4, 2023

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Sierra Leone-born Swaziland-based midfielder Issa Serry has revealed that he’s happy with his current form for Tambuti despite their position in Eswatini’s top-tier league.

After making fourteen appearances, Serry has become one of the most impressive midfielders in the present campaign and has put it down to his teammates understanding him – a lot more.

“I am pleased with my present form as a professional in the Premier League of Eswatini(Swaziland. As a winger, this is the best run I have had in 14 games scored six goals and four assists since I joined the club,” Serry, 21, who can play on both wings, told FSL News.

“Our position is not the best in the league at the moment, but we are confident of claiming the table in the next round.” My current form is also down to my teammates.

“The fact remains, regardless of our position, we have a team capable of turning our season around. We are fully motivated.” We are all looking forward to the second round of this season.”

Tambuti‘s standing second from the bottom eight points from fourteen matches after their 3-1 defeat to fellow Sierra Leone Mohamed Kabia side Mbabane Swallows on Thursday.

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The group stage for the TotalEnergies U-17 2023 has been confirmed following the draw on Wednesday after twelve teams were divided into groups. We can bring you the details of the three groups of this year’s tournament.

Cameroon is among three former champions who will play in the same group at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria later this year.

Two two-time winners Cameroon to battle with Mali in Group C following the draw held at the Cercle National de l’Armée in Algiers.

The tricky group also includes former champions Burkina Faso and debutants South Sudan.

Hosts Algeria will face a tough task in Group A against Senegal, Congo and Somalia in the schedule to kick off n April.

The home side will also take on Congo and debutants Somalia and will be based in the capital Algiers.

Read More: Three former champions drawn in same U17 AFCON group

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