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The Teranga Lions of Senegal will take on the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation in Egypt, Senegal in the 1st semifinal of the day needed extra time to edge Tunisia 1 nil while Algeria, on the other hand, had a last gasp free-kick converted to edge their semifinal clash against Nigeria 2-1.
SENEGAL 1-0 TUNISIA:
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Tunisia were aiming to win their 2nd title since they lifted the trophy on home soil in 2004 and made their intention clear with a comprehensive 3 nil quarterfinal win over debutant Madagascar, tournament favourite Senegal, on the other hand, were looking for their 1st ever crown of the African showpiece and had to dig deep to edge minnows Benin 1 nil in their quarterfinal clash.
Senegal started with the early pressure but they lacked the killer pass in the final 3rd, it took Tunisia about 12 minutes before they had a sniff at Senegal 18-yard box. Tunisia grew in confidence as the match progresses and began to get a foothold of the match. It was turning into a cagey affair with both teams cancelling each other out with a lot of cynical challenges until Senegal's left-back Youssouf Sabaly found space in the Tunisian box and curled a right-footed shot that beat the goalkeeper Moez Hassen but not the woodwork in the 25th minute. Senegal had the opportunity to open their scoring account in quick succession in the 37th minute, firstly, Mbaye Niang played a snapshot wide after a good turn in the Tunisian box, then, Sadio Mane also played the ball wide having rounded up the goalkeeper smartly. It was goalless at half-time, however, Senegal took a lot of positive going into the break having had all the best scoring chances.
Having finished the 1st-half on the back foot, Tunisia could have gotten an early goal in quick succession the 2nd half, Taha Khenissi lobbed over the cross-bar in the 48th minute having been picked out by Mohamed Drager, then, Ferjani Sassi drew a fine save from Senegal's goalkeeper Alfred Gomis in the 48th minute after a quick break down the right-hand side of Senegal goal. Tunisia also missed a golden opportunity presented them in the 64th minute but Khenisi opted to round the Gomis rather than shot but lose out. The chances kept falling the way of the Tunisians and they wasted another 1 in the 73rd minute when Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly handled the box, however, Ferjani Sassi's weak spot-kick was saved by Gomis. Another chance came begging the way of Tunisia in the 75th minute but they fluffed their lines once again. The drama did not end there as Senegal got their own penalty-kick moments later, however, Tunisia's goalkeeper also produced a fine save. Senegal's Henri Saivet also narrowly fired wide in the 89th minute as the entertaining-goalless 90 minutes end.
Tunisia was made to rue all their missed chances in the 101st minute of the extra-time when a Senegalese cross wasn't properly punched clear by the goalkeeper and it was nodded into own net by Dylan Bronn. Senegal held on to secure their place in the in Friday's final, their 1st appearance in the AFCON final since 2002 when they lost to Cameroon in the final.
ALGERIA 2-1 NIGERIA:
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The Algerians were the highest scoring side in the tournament so far with 11 goals scored and just 1 goal conceded, however, they face a familiar foe who had not lost to them in the last 7 meetings, in fact, Nigeria did a double over the Algerians in the last World Cup qualifiers. Both teams had also previously met 9 times in the AFCON showpiece with 3 wins apiece and 3 draws.
Key moments in the game;
• 7' - Algeria came out of the block with an early attack but Baghdad Bounedjah fired wide.
• 16' - another scoring chance for Algeria went begging when Ramy Bensebaini headed over the crossbar.
• 18' - right-back Chidozie Awaziem headed well wide for Nigeria's 1st attempt at goal.
• 20' - Ahmed Musa also fired straight at Rais M'Bolhi in goal for Algeria.
• 29' - Algeria's Bounedjah not done with Nigeria's defence as his right-footed shot was straight at Daniel Akpeyi in goal for Nigeria.
• 31' - Samuel Chukwueze drew a smart save from Rais
• 40' - the 1st goal of the match as Nigeria conceded an own-goal when Riyad Marez crosses came off William Troost-Ekong.
a much cagey affair in the 2nd half as clear cut chances were few and far between, however,
• 67' - a lifeline for Nigeria as VAR came good when Peter Etebo's shot was blocked with the arm by Aissa Mandi.
• 72' - Odion Ighalo cooly dispatch from 12 yards, his 4th goal of the tournament.
• 81' - Alex Iwobi drew a fine save from Rais.
• 90 + 5' - heartbreak for Nigerians as Mahrez curled in a delightful freekick just when it seemed the match would go into extra-time.
Algeria will now play Senegal in Friday's final in an attempt to win her 2nd title since her sole triumph on home soil in 1990.
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