Defending champions Senegal will face two-time winners Morocco while surprise package Sudan take on Madagascar as the African Nations Championship (CHAN) enters its semi-final stage.
The last four line-up was confirmed after a dramatic quarter-final weekend in East Africa that saw all three co-hosts — Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — eliminated despite passionate home backing.
The tournament, being staged across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, now has a distinctly heavyweight feel with two past champions still in contention alongside two of the competition’s most compelling underdog stories.
Senegal underlined their title credentials with a 1-0 victory over Uganda in Kampala.
In front of more than 35,000 fans at the Mandela National Stadium, the Lions of Teranga were pushed to the limit by a spirited Cranes side but struck decisively through Oumar Ba in the 62nd minute.
Uganda, who had qualified for the knockout stage of CHAN for the first time in their history, enjoyed more possession and created more chances but could not find the finishing touch.
Senegal’s defensive organisation once again proved decisive, with Seyni Ndiaye commanding the back line and goalkeeper Marc Diouf producing vital interventions late on.
That victory set up a semi-final against Morocco, who edged co-hosts Tanzania 1-0 in Dar es Salaam.
Oussama Lamlaoui scored the only goal of the game midway through the second half, tucking in his fourth of the tournament from a clever assist by Youssef Belammari.
The Atlas Lions absorbed heavy pressure in front of a packed 41,000-strong Benjamin Mkapa Stadium but showed composure and tactical discipline to hold firm.
Despite missing key defenders Bouchaib El Arsi, Marouane El Ouedni and Abdelhak Assal, coach Tarik Sektioui’s men extended their remarkable knockout-stage record, having now won seven consecutive CHAN elimination matches since 2014.
It means Kampala will host a meeting of two of the competition’s true heavyweights: holders Senegal against Morocco, champions in 2018 and 2020.
Credit: cafonline.com
