Hosts Algeria, Senegal through to CHAN semis

• Both Algeria and Senegal won with 1-0 margins
• Algeria are the CHAN hosts
• CAF have announced an increase in prize money

Hosts Algeria and Senegal have both progressed to the semi-final of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) after picking up identical 1-0 wins in the quarter final duels on Friday night.

In the first quarter final, Aimen Mahious scored a dramatic stoppage time penalty as hosts Algeria edged out Ivory Coast 1-0 to progress. Both teams had to finish the game with 10 men.

Algeria goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz was sent off after just 20 minutes for a last man tackle. They had to sacrifice midfielder Ahmed Kendouci for second choice goalkeeper Farid Chaal, and

Left back Kouassi Atohoula was sent off for Ivory Coast 14 minutes later after a studs up challenge.

Algeria had started the match well with Zakaria Draoui hitting the upright with a diving header after just seven minutes. ON the other end, Aziz Abdoul was found isolated at the backpost from a freekick but could not connect on target.

The two sides continued to press with Algeria having the best chances, powered by the home crowd. Mokhtar Belkhither had two chances, his first shot saved by the keeper’s legs while his second was wide.

In the fifth minute of added time, Algeria were handed a penalty after Mahious was brought down inside the box and he took responsibility himself, leaving the keeper rooted to his spot with a well taken kick.

Senegal have progressed to the semi-final of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) after a nervy 1-0 win over Mauritania in Annaba.

Senegal also progress via a penalty 

In the second semi, Midfielder Lamine Ndiaye score the lone goal via a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) awarded penalty in the 34th minute as the West African giants moved an inch closer to their first ever final.

Some shirt tagging on Moussa Ndiaye by Beibou inside the box as they contested for a corner attracted the attention of the referee and after visiting the VAR pitchside booth, pointed straight to the spot.

Senegal celebrate their win over Mauritania

This was the first goal that the impressive Mauritanians were conceding in the tournament.

They gave in a good fight to try and get back into the match and had the chances to score, but couldn’t fully utilize them.

Mohamed EL Abd had a good chance at goal after being picked out by a freekick from Mouhsine Bodda, but he couldn’t land the effort on target. Bodda later had a chance with a direct freekick, but it was well handled by the keeper.

Despite more efforts in the second half, Amir Abdou’s men couldn’t get back into the game.

CAF Increase prize money 

At the same time, The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Has announced a 60pc increase on the prize money for this year’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

The winner of this year’s trophy will receive $2million compared to the US$1,250,000 received by the previous champion two years ago.

The total prize money allocated for the tournament has been increased to US$ 7,900,000 from the US$ 5,450,000 that was paid to all the countries that participated in the previous edition of the tournament two years ago.

The runners-up will get US$800,000 while the third and fourth-placed teams will receive $500,000 each.

The four sides that fail to progress beyond the quarter-finalists will get $400,000 each while the two countries that finish second in the groups of three teams will earn $300,000 each, the same amount as countries that finish third in groups of four teams.

The bottom placed teams in all the groups will earn $200,000 each.