By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (January 27^th 2023)

Sénégal End Mauritania’s Dream

Mourning the loss of the Vice-President of the Mauritanian Football Federation, Pape Amghar Dieng, coach Amir Ed Dine Abdou saw his team exit Algeria’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) at Annaba’s May 19^th Stadium to a determined Sénégal, coached by Pape Bouna Thaw.

A tight match was decided by a penalty scored after 33 minutes by Lamine Camara who slotted his penalty past Namori Diaw to the Mauritanian keeper’s right to give Sénégal the lead in the second quarter-final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), the first to be hosted by Algeria.

A clumsy challenge on Moussa Ndaye by Mohamed Beibou, as he defended a corner by Chekh Sidibé, in a manner that was more akin to wrestling than football, gave Algerian referee, Loufti Bekouassa, no option but to point to the spot. Sénégal was content to defend what they had and Mauritania produced few attacks requiring an intervention from the Sénégalese keeper, Pape Sy, although he was required to tip away a shot by Mamadou Sy on the hour. Sénégal held on to advance to the semi-final to face Madagascar.