Sudan bundle out Algeria in dramatic shoot-out to reach CHAN semis
By Lutta Njomo, August 24, 2025Sudan pulled a shocker in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) by eliminating North African powerhouse Algeria to advance to the semi-finals on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
The Falcons of Jediane held their nerve in a dramatic shoot-out at the Amaan Stadium after a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes.
Goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja pulled the man-of-the-match performance by saving twice to propel Sudan to its historic victory over Algeria in the penalty shoot-out.
The 4-2 penalty win set the stage for Sudan in the last four, where they will face Madagascar, who eliminated Harambee Stars on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Kwesi Appiah’s side, who topped Group D, remain unbeaten in the tournament and continue to build on their remarkable resurgence.
Entertaining battle
Both teams had entered the contest with high expectations, underpinned by mutual respect voiced by their coaches on the eve of the clash.
The encounter began tightly, with chances at both ends but no breakthrough in a scrappy first half. However, the deadlock was finally broken early in the second half in chaotic fashion. Musa Hussien’s strike was saved, only for Algerian defender Ayoub Ghezala to inadvertently turn the ball into his own net, handing Sudan the lead in the 48th minute.
The Desert Foxes maintained their fighting spirit and in the 73rd minute, Soufiane Bayazid bundled home from close range after sustained attacks.
Both teams piled pressure, but they could not find the back of the net, forcing them to settle for penalties to decide the tie winner.
The 4-2 penalty scoreline sent the Sudanese supporters into a frenzy.
Following the win, Sudan will now face Madagascar at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
The co-hosts were all eliminated in the quarterfinals. Uganda Cranes crashed out of the tournament on Saturday, August 23, 2025, after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to defending champions Senegal at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
Uganda’s exit followed Friday’s setbacks for its co-hosting neighbours. In Nairobi, Kenya’s Harambee Stars lost 4-3 on penalties to Madagascar after a 1-1 draw.
At the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars were edged 1-0 by Morocco.