Senegal secured the CHAN 2024 bronze medal after edging Sudan 4-2 in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Friday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The reigning champions, who missed out on the final after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the semis, bounced back with determination in the battle for third place. Their triumph ensured Senegal claimed successive podium finishes, while Sudan’s hopes of clinching a third CHAN medal were dashed, despite their commendable fight.
In front of a lively crowd in Kampala, Sudan looked the sharper of the two sides in the opening stages. However, they did not get a reward for their hard work until the 6th minute when Mohamed Tia Asad rose highest to power home a header from Abdel Raouf Yagoub’s corner for the game’s opening goal.
Sudan led at the break, with goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja pulling off crucial saves to frustrate the defending champion. However, after the interval, Senegal stepped things up as they went in search of the leveller. They eventually found a way just before the hour mark when star defender Seyni Ndiaye’s precise header found the net, after good work on the flank by Ousseynou Seck.
Despite several attacks from the defending champions, the Falcons of Jediane stood tall, as the third-place match went straight to a penalty shoot-out.
Sudan faltered at the start when Walieldin Khdir dragged his first attempt off target. While Mohamed Ahmed Saeed and Ahmed Tabanja later found the net, Musab Makeen’s strike was stopped by Marc Diouf, swinging momentum firmly to Senegal.
The West Africans showed composure and precision, with Joseph Layousse, Issa Kane, Vieux Cissé, and Libasse Guèye all dispatching their penalties to seal a 4-2 triumph in the shootout.
Souleymane Diallo’s young squad entered the competition determined to retain their title, but their campaign ended with a third-place finish—a mixed outcome that brought pride, yet a touch of disappointment.
Attention now shifts to Nairobi, where Morocco and Madagascar will battle for the crown in Saturday’s final at the Moi International Sports Centre, in Kasarani.
