Senegal secured third place at the CHAN (PAMOJA 2024) tournament after defeating Sudan 4-2 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Friday evening.
The bronze medal marks a second successive podium finish for the defending champions, who had been denied a place in the final after falling to Morocco in the semi-finals. For Sudan, the wait for a third CHAN medal continues despite an impressive run and a spirited display in the play-off.
Sudan Strike First, Senegal Fight Back
Backed by a lively Kampala crowd, Sudan began on the front foot and took an early lead in the 6th minute. Mohamed Tia Asad rose highest to nod home Abdel Raouf Yagoub’s corner, giving the Falcons of Jediane a deserved 1-0 advantage.
That lead stood until half-time as Sudan displayed great discipline at the back, with goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja producing key saves to frustrate Senegal’s attacks.
But after the restart, Senegal responded with intensity. Their breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Seyni Ndiaye met Ousseynou Seck’s fine cross with a perfectly timed header to level matters at 1-1. From then on, the Lions of Teranga controlled much of the play, though Sudan remained dangerous on the counter.
Penalties Decide the Tie
With no extra-time provision for the third-place playoff, the game went straight to penalties after 90 minutes.
Sudan faltered first—Walieldin Khdir missed the opening kick before Musab Makeen saw his effort saved by Marc Diouf. Although Mohamed Ahmed Saeed and Ahmed Tabanja converted theirs, the damage had been done.
Senegal, meanwhile, were flawless from the spot. Joseph Layousse, Issa Kane, Vieux Cissé, and Libasse Guèye all dispatched confidently to seal a 4-2 shootout triumph.
Senegal Redeem Themselves, Sudan Earn Respect
For head coach Souleymane Diallo, the victory offered a measure of redemption after missing out on the final. “This was about character,” he said. “The players showed maturity after the semi-final setback. We wanted to finish with something, and we did that.”
Senegal’s bronze also highlighted their consistency, as they stretched their unbeaten record in open play to 10 CHAN matches.
Sudan, guided by Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah, bowed out with pride. Despite domestic football being disrupted by conflict, they defied the odds to reach the semi-finals, knocking out Nigeria and pushing Madagascar all the way.
Appiah saluted his team’s resilience: “We came very far with limited preparation. I am proud of how the players fought. Sudanese football has shown it still has heart.”
Attention Turns to the Final
With Senegal taking bronze and Sudan narrowly missing out, focus now shifts to Nairobi, where Morocco will clash with Madagascar in Saturday’s final at Moi International Sports Centre.
