In a gripping encounter that showcased resilience over flair, Algeria earned their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024. The team sealed their advancement with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Niger under the floodlights of Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Monday night. This result allowed Algeria, who were the 2022 runners-up, to join Uganda in progressing from a fiercely contested Group C.
Knowing that a single point would suffice, Algeria came into this decisive fixture with a strategic mindset. Although they struggled to penetrate the firm defense of an already-eliminated Niger side, Madjid Bougherra’s team managed to secure the necessary result. Their qualification was confirmed in tandem with Uganda’s thrilling 3-3 draw against South Africa, which saw the hosts top the group with seven points, while Algeria finished second with six.
The match was anything but lackluster, despite the scoreline. Algeria asserted early control, showcasing their intent with a series of attacks. Soufiane Bayazid and Mehdi Merghem both came close, forcing Niger’s goalkeeper Mahamadou Tanja into several crucial saves. However, Niger, although they faced early elimination, demonstrated their fighting spirit. Ibrahim Djingarey nearly unlocked the game with a free kick, but his efforts fell short, especially after he received his second yellow card in the 77th minute, adding to Niger’s woes.
Despite their numerical advantage in the closing moments, Algeria’s struggles continued, with their clearest chances having been squandered in the first half. Bayazid’s potent effort was met with a stellar save from Tanja, and a close-range header from Merghem drifted wide, leaving Algerian supporters on edge. To add to the drama, Niger nearly stole the show late on, with Abdoul-Latif Goumey coming agonizingly close on two occasions, including a last-minute strike that grazed the crossbar.
As the action unfolded in Nairobi, the excitement peaked simultaneously in Kampala, where Uganda and South Africa played out an exhilarating 3-3 draw. This match not only delivered high-octane entertainment but also solidified Uganda’s position at the top of Group C. Guinea ended their campaign in fourth place with four points and Niger, disappointing with a complete lack of goals, finished at the bottom with only two.
For Niger, the exit was bitter, compounded by the fact that they departed the tournament without scoring a single goal. Despite their struggles, there was a glimmer of pride in their performance, especially from goalkeeper Tanja, who consistently thwarted Algeria’s advances, and the attacking forays of Goumey and Djingarey, who displayed commendable flair.
With the group stage concluded, Uganda and Algeria now stand poised for the knockout phase. Uganda, having navigated their group with flair and tenacity, will face their next challenge with confidence, while Algeria, despite their less-than-stellar form, can draw strength from their defensive prowess and past tournament experience. Meanwhile, South Africa’s spirited yet ultimately unsuccessful campaign concludes with heartbreak, and Guinea’s solitary victory offers little consolation in the re-evaluation of their strategy moving forward.
As the tournament progresses into the quarter-finals, all eyes will be on Algeria to rediscover their attacking flair and live up to the high standards set in their journey to the final in 2022.
