Hosts Algeria and Senegal are the finalists of the 2022 African Nations Championship, CHAN, currently held in Algeria.

The home-based foxes trashed Niger 5-0 in the semi-final on Tuesday, while the Lions of Teranga overcame debutants Madagascar by a goal to nothing.

Algeria have maintained a perfect run in the tournament, winning all of their five matches so far.

Senegal on the other hand failed to beat Uganda in their second group game but went ahead to win all of the remaining four matches played.

As we look forward to an exciting final between the hosts Algeria and Senegal, CitySports takes a look into the two finalists’ journey in the tournament and an opinion on the likely winner of the 2022 edition of the home-based footballers’ tournament.

Neither of these teams has emerged the CHAN winners, and both teams would fancy the chance of lifting the home-based AFCON trophy for the very first time.

The home-based dessert foxes continued their perfect run as the trash Niger republic 5-0 in the semi-final. Teranga Lions of Senegal emerged Algeria opponents after defeating debutants Madagascar 1-0 in the second semi-final played on Tuesday.

Madagascar had a fairy tale run in this edition of the tournament beating tournament favourites and reaching the semi-final before being booted.

The Malagasy will now face Niger for the 3rd place playoff.

Let’s quickly see how the two finalists made it to the semis and perhaps project the winner of this edition of the CHAN

Algeria

Hosts and title favourites Algeria edged Libya 1-0 in the opening match of the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) thanks to a second-half penalty converted by Aymen Mahious.

Algeria also defeated Ethiopia by the same margin in the 2nd match played at the Nelson Mandela stadium Aymen Mahious gave the Dessert Foxes the much-desired winning goal.

They completed a perfect run in the group stage by defeating Mozambique with not more than one goal margin.

Aymen Mahious scored his 3rd goal of the tournament in the quarter-final match against Ivory Coast, A match which saw two players sent off, one from each team, the lone goal was just enough to see the foxes make it through into the semi-final.

The Foxes who have not won any match in the tournament by more than one goal run riot against Niger as they trashed their opponent five-zero.

Senegal

Teranga Lions of Senegal began their campaign with a 1-0 victory against Cote D’Ivoire, lost 0-1 to Uganda, and trashed Congo 3-0.

The home-based Teranga Lions beat Mauritania and Madagascar by one goal margin in the quarter-final and semi-final to secure the first CHAN final slot.

Senegal are now set to face the biggest test of the tournament as they are not up against just the hosts’ players but the ever-presence and cheering home crowd.

Projection

Both Algeria and Senegal have shown the capability, skills, and determination, but with or without the home crowd, the Teranga Lions will give the Dessert Foxes a run for their money.

Who will win the final scheduled for Saturday, February 4th at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Algeria?

With five games unbeaten and support from the home crowd, Algeria seems to have more chances of lifting the 2022 CHAN trophy on home soil.

However, the Senegalese are not pushovers as they’ve shown throughout this tournament.

If they stick to their game plan, the Foxes will find it difficult to break them and they can capitalize on the Algeria weaknesses and make their first CHAN final a memorable one.