In Zanzibar on Saturday night, goalkeeper Mohamed Elnour cemented his status as Sudan’s new national hero, pulling off two crucial penalty saves to send the Falcons of Jediane soaring into the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024. His heroics in the shoot-out sealed a 4-2 victory over Algeria after a tense 1-1 draw across 120 minutes.
The result not only booked Sudan a last-four date with Madagascar but also underlined the remarkable revival orchestrated by Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah, who has now guided his side to the semi-finals unbeaten.
The quarter-final clash at Amaan Stadium had promised fireworks, with both sides showing mutual respect before kickoff. Algeria’s coach Madjid Bougherra praised Sudan’s rise, while Appiah boldly declared his team would not be conservative.
On the pitch, it was Sudan who struck first in the 48th minute in bizarre fashion. Musa Hussien’s shot was parried, only for Algerian defender Ayoub Ghezala to slice the clearance into his own net. But Algeria, carrying an unbeaten run of 10 CHAN matches, fought back. Their persistence was rewarded in the 73rd minute when Soufiane Bayazid poked home from close range after relentless pressure.
With the game tied 1-1, extra time produced near misses at both ends — Abooja twice denying Aimen Mahious while Mohamed Tia Asad headed wide for Sudan. Fatigue and injuries slowed the tempo, leaving penalties to decide the outcome.
The drama escalated from the spot. Sudan’s Walieldin Khidir and Mohamed Ahmed Saeed converted with confidence, matched by Bayazid and Mahious for Algeria. But Elnour then seized the moment, saving from Mehdi Merghem and Zakaria Draoui to tilt the contest. Ahmed Tabanja and Tia Asad made no mistake, sparking wild celebrations as Sudan marched into their third-ever CHAN semi-final.
For Algeria, the night ended in heartbreak — their 2022 finalist pedigree and unbeaten streak left in tatters. For Sudan, it was yet another statement performance in a tournament where they have already humiliated Nigeria 4-0 and held champions Senegal.
The Falcons now head to Dar es Salaam to face Madagascar on Tuesday, August 26, while the other semi-final — Morocco against Senegal — promises heavyweight drama in Kampala later the same day.
