Mixed reactions as Senegal win Chan, Morocco eye 2025 Afcon

CHAN

Senegal’s players celebrate winning the 2022 African Nations Championship in Algiers on February 4, 2023.

Photo credit: AFP

What you need to know:

  • Morocco has insisted that Algeria was unjustified in cutting ties and its arguments were ‘fallacious and even absurd’.
  • And when the world thought it couldn’t get worse, Morocco announced in January 2023 it will not travel to defend her African Nations Championship title, after Algeria refused to demands for a direct flight from Rabat to Constantine.

in Fez, Morocco

Senegal's victory over Algeria in the final of the 2022 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) was greeted with mixed reactions here in Fez, Morocco.

From Casablanca to Rabat to Fez, a number of Algerian and Moroccan fans cheered on their favourite teams in a country known to be passionate about football.

Morocco is among the African powerhouses, and recently got to the semi-finals of the 2022 Fifa World Cup after beating Canada, Belgium, Spain and Portugal along the way.

Some of their star players include Hakim Ziyech who is attached to Chelsea in the English Premier League and PSG's Achraf Hakimi.

The Atlas Lions are the first and only African team to make it to this stage of the tournament.

Senegal triumphed 5-4 over Algeria in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the two teams had played out a barren draw in normal and extra time at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.

The celebrations and disappointment started when Akram Djahnit had Algeria’s first post-match penalty saved by Senegal goalkeeper Pape Mamadou Sy.

Gabon referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho ordered Djahnit to retake the penalty as Mamadou was adjudged to have been off his line when the shot was taken.

Senegal, coached by the classy Pay Thiaw, recovered to convert their spot kicks through Moussa Ndiaye, Moussa Kante Cheikhou Omar Ndiayeand and poster boy Lamine Ndiaye, while Kendouci Muhmaad’s effort struck the crossbar.

The final whistle was greeted with joy, celebrations and jeers by Moroccans, and other nationalities who are here in the country to watch the 2022 Fifa Club World Cup.

Senegalese journalists who are here to cover the 2022 Fifa Club World Cup, and also analyse the country’s preparedness to host both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and 2030 Fifa World Cup.

Morocco is bidding to host these two tournaments and stand a chance to be handed the hosting rights considering their preparedness in terms of infrastructure and hospitality in most of their cities including Marakech, Rabat, capital Casablanca, Agadir and Fez.