Senegal defeated Madagascar 1-0 to book a place in the final of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 on Tuesday night at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.

Papa Diallo scored the only goal of the game with a wonderful header from a Mamadou Sane cross to put the ball past the Madagascar goalkeeper Zakanirina Rakotohasimbola in the fifth minute.

Diallo who was looking hungry, almost got his second goal of the game when Moussa Ndiaye, put him through into the box but goalkeeper Zakanirina was in the right place to stop the goal from beng scored.

Senegal dominated many parts of the game and ultimately frustrated the Barea who rarely had a sniff at goal.

Madagascar continued to fend off the Senegal charge in the second half and when Cheikhou Ndiaye got to a lose ball from a corner kick, Soloniaina Rajo Nirina Razafindrabearimihanta cleared but his diving header hit the crossbar to save Madagascar the blushes and avoid an own goal.

The Barea whose attacking prowess led by Koloina and Tokinantenaina Olivier Randriatsiferana commonly known as Tsiry was questioned on the night as they sought rare scoring opportunities, but their efforts were not enough on the night.

Senegal held on to progress to their first ever TotalEnergies CHAN final and they will face the hosts Algeria on February 4 at the same stadium at 1930GMT.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer