- Hosts Algeria thrashed Niger 5-0
- Ayem Mahious scored twice
- They have never qualified for the final of the CHAN
Hosts Algeria have stormed into the final of the 2023 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) after thrashing Niger 5-0 infront of their home fans on Tuesday evening. The Algerians have qualified for the CHAN final for the first time ever and are now looking to go all the way and clinch a maiden title.
Ayem Mahious who has been in starring form scored twice for Algeria in their victory, with head coach Madjid Bougherra elated with the victory and the ticket to the final infront of their home fans.
“We thank the players. We need to acknowledge the fans as well because their support was important to us. The players respected the plan and we emerged victorious and are going to the final in Algiers,” said Bougherra.
He added; “We are delighted to have scored five goals. When we started this tournament, we kept hearing people criticizing the team and in football, sometimes you have to take the criticism. The players have been working very hard but maybe this result will take away some of that pressure.”
His opposite number harouna Douala was distraught with the performance of his side.
Nothing worked today
“Following such a loss, all I can say is that nothing worked today. We were unable to recover the ball. It is not understandable to lose so many passes. We had so much respect for the Algerian team. We have learnt so many lessons,” he noted after the game.
Prior to the game, Niger had not conceded a single goal in the tournament in three matches, but all this The home side took the lead in the 15th minute when goalkeeper Mahamadou Djibo made a hash of Abderrahmane Meziane’s corner.
Algeria players celebrate after the win
Captain Ayoub Abdellaoui, who was lurking at the far post, latched on with a header to put his side into the lead.
In the 23rd minute, they were 2-0 down courtesy of a well struck half volley from Mahious before he doubled his tally and made it 3-0 for Algeria in the 34th minute with a header from a freekick, his fifth goal of the tournament.
Algeria were 3-0 up before halftime, an own goal from skipper Abdoulaye Kakore as he tried to cut off a corner making the task even harder for the West Africans.
Conservative approach
Algeria returned from the break and with Sunday’s final already in mind, they adopted a more of a conservative approach that allowed Niger to come into the game strongly by creating some few anxious moments.
The Menas had their first shot on target at the 59th minute when Badamassi Ousseini’s header was parried by Farid Chaal.
But, the hosts managed to withstand the pressure and put the game firmly to bed with seven mionutes of regulation time left when Bayaziad’s header beat the keeper. The referee initially whistled for offside, but a VAR check verified the goal.
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