2024-05-13 20:20:23
In the final, won by Senegal by 2 goals to 1, Friday in Algiers, the Lion Cubs of the Atlas were not unworthy and honored their extraordinary journey during this African Cup, which saw them validate their ticket to the final phase of the 2023 World Cup.
Thus, Said Chiba‘s foals opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal. On a corner, the player from the Mohammed VI Football Academy took over the Senegalese goalkeeper, who hesitated to go towards the ball, reviving in the mind the ontological goal of his predecessor at this prestigious establishment, Youssef En- Nsyri, against Portugal, at the Qatari World Cup.
This early opening of the score reinforced the national team in its efforts aimed at curbing the enthusiasm of the Senegalese players, based on a good defensive organization which did not leave space for the opposing attackers, an aggressiveness in the duels to kill in the bud their attempts and counter-attacks to both try to surprise the Senegalese team and force them to favor defensive prudence over offensive audacity.
This approach proved fruitful in that it kept at bay the Senegalese team known for its attacking strength, illustrated by a significant number of goals scored during this edition.
However, the game took a dramatic turn ten minutes from the final whistle, after a penalty awarded to the Senegalese and scored by Serigne Fallou Diouf (80th), followed by a second goal scored by Mamadou Savané (83rd).
Senegal becomes the 9th different team to win the title, joining Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria.
Before reaching the semi-finals, both teams had delivered relatively calm performances. Senegal won all its group matches (1-0 against Congo, 0-3 against Algeria and 0-3 against Somalia) before outclassing South Africa in the quarter-finals (5-0) . In the final four, the Senegalese were joined in the score by Burkina Faso even though they had opened the scoring. In the penalty shootout, they won 6-5.
The Moroccan team also performed well in the groups (2-0 against South Africa and 1-0 against Nigeria) against a defeat against Zambia (2-1) in the third match. In the quarter-finals, in the 100% North African derby against the host country, the Lion Cubs of the Atlas easily won (3-0). During the semi-finals, they won at the end of the penalty shootout against Mali (6-5, 0-0 regulation time).
The medal ceremony took place in the presence, in particular, of the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa.
2024-05-13 20:20:23