Senegal won the African Nations Championship (CHAN) final on penalties, defeating hosts Algeria 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 match on February 4th, 2023.
The victory marked a double for the Senegalese, who had previously won the African Cup of Nations earlier this year.
The match was a tense affair, with neither side able to break the deadlock in regular time. Golden Boot winner Aymen Mahious had the chance to secure victory for Senegal.
When he took the 10th penalty kick, his shot was poor and straight at goalkeeper Pape Sy, who saved effortlessly.
The teams remained deadlocked at 4-4, and the shootout went into sudden death. Ousmane Diouf calmly converted his penalty to edge Senegal ahead and break the Algerian hearts.
Ahmed Kendouci had the chance to keep Algerian hopes alive, but his shot rebounded off the crossbar, and Senegal was crowned champions.
The victory was a historic moment for Senegal, who became the first African nation to achieve a double by winning the African Cup of Nations and the African Nations Championship.
The Senegalese players celebrated the win and were greeted with a standing ovation from the sell-out 39,120 crowds at the Stade Nelson Mandela in Algiers.
The win was also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Senegalese team. The team had been the favorites to win from the start, and they lived up to expectations, playing with skill and determination to see off the hosts.
It was a triumphant moment for Senegal, who have been looking for international success for some time. The victory was a long time coming, but it was worth the wait for the Senegalese, now the champions of Africa.