After more than two weeks of scintillating football at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 in Algeria, we are down to four teams battling for the golden crown.

A journey that has been filled with surprises, twists, and turns, has now presented the aspirants for the coveted trophy in the tournament organized for players that ply their trade in their domestic leagues on the continent.

Hosts Algeria booked their ticket to the semi-finals after a 1-0 victory over Côte d’Ivoire thanks to a 96th minute penalty by Aimen Mahious who was perfect from 12 yards in a match that saw two red cards for both teams.

This was Algeria’s fourth 1-0 result at the seventh CHAN edition.

The Desert Foxes are yet to concede a goal despite losing number one choice goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz in the 20th minute of the above game and was replaced by Farid Chaal who kept a clean sheet.

Madjid Bougherra’s side will now face the tournament’s surprise package Niger who have been excellent in Oran cruising to their first ever semi-final at the expense of big guns Cameroon and Ghana. The Menas too are yet to concede a goal.

“I said before that the winner of the Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire game will go to the final. We want to see that. We want to make our fans happy,” Bougherra admitted.

Niger and Algeria share borders. Niger sits to the southeast of Algeria and the brotherhood between the two nations has been seen at all Niger’s games in Oran where they have received massive support from the locals before, during and after games.

The Menas have been based at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran and recorded a goalless draw against Congo, won 1-0 against Cameroon and 2-0 against Ghana. Harouna Doula’s side has consistently grown into the tournament.

“We are exactly where we wanted to be. We can dream of a place in the final. We want people to know about Niger. Our time is now,” explained Doula in an interview.

Algeria will leave their base at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, Algiers for the first time since the tournament started and will be hoping to emerge victorious against Niger who have made the Miloud Hadefi Stadium their home ground.

Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, Senegal will battle debutants Madagascarfor a place in the final to be played on February 4 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.

The CHAN returnees for the first time since 2011 have been impressive under Pape Thiaw who came into the tournament with just nine players from the squad that competed in the qualifiers.

“My satisfaction comes from the fact that Senegalese teams are all doing well. This team has character even though the boys are still young,” Thiaw noted with joy.

Just like at the World Cup in Qatar, five of Senegal’s goals in Algeria have been scored by five different players including Moussa Ndiaye, Ousmane Diouf, Pape Diallo and Lamine Camara. The other was an own goal from Baggio Siadi.

The Generation Foot midfielder Camara who was named as the Best Young Player of the group stages stumped his name in the fabric of the tournament and affirmed his selection with his goal against Mauritania.

His goal ensured that the Teranga Lions became the first side to score against their in-form neighbours Mauritania at the tournament and are now on course to win the treble. Senegal are the reigning champions of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as well as the Beach Soccer AFCON.

To achieve that, they must stop the in-form Madagascar whose awe-inspiring run of victories at the tournament has inspired the debutants to a historic semi-final place.

The Barea have overcome all odds to earn the respect accorded to a title favourite and have in more ways than one become the ultimate title favourites.

They are fast in attack and have shown that with determination and hard work, impossible is nothing. Romuald Rakotondrabe has fine-tuned his side to become fearless no matter the opponent that they are up against.

“In the beginning my players were afraid. However, we adjusted and quickly adapted. That is why I am so satisfied. But in all honesty, I did not envisage that we will be in the semis. We came here as underdogs, but my players have worked hard and changed our status. I cannot believe it. Congratulations to my players,” Rakotondrabe confessed.

Madagascar have scored the most goals in the tournament – eight in three games conceding just twice to demonstrate how balanced they are as a team.

In goalkeeper Razakanirina Rakotohasimbola commonly known as Nina, Madagascar has a stalwart between the posts. His reflex saves to deny Mozambique any chance at victory showcased his great talent that is expected to be a decisive factor in that game.

No game has gone to extra time and penalties so far at the tournament and it remains to be seen whether the semi-finals will present such a test to the quartet.

Algeria will face Niger in the first semi-final at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran on Tuesday, 31 January at 1600GMT before Senegal face Madagascar at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, Algiers on the same day at 1900GMT.

Algerian legend Rabah Madjer has sent resounding support for the organization of the biennial TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) organized solely for players that feature in the domestic leagues in their countries.

Madjer, who was named the African Player of the Year in 1987 and won the AFCON with Algeria in 1990 at home, has spoken out and backed the organization of the biennial competition that is only unique to Africa.

“CHAN is an important platform to discover new African stars who can go on to shine at various other big international tournaments. I wish there was a CHAN tournament in the 1970s and 1980s because of its usefulness,” Madjer said.

“Football has developed. In yesteryears like in the 60s, 70s, and even the 90s, I wish there was an African championship organized for the local players for each local player to prove his level.”

“However, at that time the majority of the local players were active in the first team and as we saw, all Africans proved their prowess in international teams, and I can, for example, talk about our generation in Algeria, which proved its capabilities against international teams in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.”

Madjer, who competed at both World Cups, will always be remembered for his wonder goal against Germany which was Algeria’s first ever goal at a World Cup and that it orchestrated the famous 2-1 win to become the first time an African team emerged victorious at a World Cup.

Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi will return to training this weekend manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed. 

Ndidi missed the Foxes 2-2 home draw against Brighton & Hove Albion last week after picking up an injury in training.

Rodgers stated last week that the Nigeria international will be out for a couple of weeks. 

But the gaffer has now hinted that the player will be back on grass on Friday (today). 

“Thankfully [Dennis Praet’s injury], it’s not as bad [as first feared]. There’s was a lot of pain but no ligament damage. He trained well today,”Rodgers said of Leicester City’s Emirates fourth round tie at Walsall “[Wilfred Ndidi will] be out on the grass tomorrow.

The 25-year-old has made 16 league appearances for the Foxes this season.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a significant 60% increase in the prize money for the winner of the CHAN tournament currently ongoing in Algeria.

The 7th edition of the tournament is happening in Algeria and has reached the quarter-finals stage. The final will be played on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.

The decision, which has been confirmed by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, is in line with the organisation’s strategy to increase the commercial value of all African competitions.

This year’s CHAN winner will receive prize money of US$2,000,000 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 held in Cameroon.

The runners-up of the CHAN 2022 tournament will get US$800,000 while the third and fourth-placed teams will receive US$500,000 each.

The four sides that fail to progress beyond the quarter-finalists will get US$400,000 each while the two countries that finish second in the groups of three teams will earn US$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 US$200,000 each.

The CHAN 2022 tourney started on January 13 and the final is scheduled to be played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on February 4.

Nathan Ake scores a fine goal at the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium as the fourth round kicked off on Friday night, with Nathan Ake the unexpected star of the show with the only goal.

The Gunners made a bright start and right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu stung the palms of City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega after only a few minutes. Leandro Trossard was the architect of a few moves down the left in those early stages, exposing City’s preference to have right-back Rico Lewis operate as an auxiliary central midfielder.

The hosts caught their first sight of goal courtesy of a loose ball that threatened to let Erling Haaland in. Matt Turner was quick to rush out, but as the ball popped up into the air, Haaland attempted the acrobatic – think Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs England in 2012 – but Tomiyasu dropped back onto the line.

Midway through the first half, Ortega’s strong left hand stopped Trossard putting Arsenal ahead after the £27m Belgian drove in-field from his flank. City had their own chance from a Belgian soon after when Kevin De Bruyne whipped a left-footed shot just wide of the far post.

Trossard made another Arsenal chance when he put a teasing cross into Eddie Nketiah at the near post, with the in-form striker sending his flick just wide. It didn’t really feel like an action-packed first half, yet the opportunities kept coming as Haaland missed the target under pressure from Gabriel.

Trossard aside, none of the big players on either side had particularly stood out in the first 45 – the likes of Haaland, De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez and Bukayo Saka had all be disappointingly quiet.

Given that, it was perhaps fitting that the eventual breakthrough came from an unlikely source. Substitute Julian Alvarez changed things by taking on a shot from distance that rebounded off the post. Jack Grealish recycled it and found left-back Ake, who passed the ball into the far corner of the goal like a seasoned striker.

Both managers made numerous changes to try and shift the balance of the game in their favour as the minutes ticked away. It achieved little as far as the spectacle was concerned, breaking up any potential for a bit of rhythm or momentum.

City dug in in the closing stages, squeezing Arsenal out whenever the Gunners threatened to make something happen in or around the box – in particular Ortega made a couple of vital smothers when Arsenal sub Gabriel Martinelli injected some pace for the hosts.

Australian Open – Women’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 28, 2023 Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka celebrates winning her final match against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina

List of Australian Open women’s singles champions since the event began in 1922 (Australian unless stated):

2023 Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) bt Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) 4-6 6-3 6-4

2022 Ash Barty bt Danielle Collins (U.S.) 6-3 7-6(2)

2021 Naomi Osaka (Japan) bt Jennifer Brady (U.S.) 6-4 6-3

2020 Sofia Kenin (U.S.) bt Garbine Muguruza (Spain) 4-6 6-2 6-2

2019 Osaka bt Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) 7-6(2) 5-7 6-4

2018 Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) bt Simona Halep (Romania) 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4

2017 Serena Williams (U.S.) bt Venus Williams (U.S.) 6-4 6-4

2016 Angelique Kerber (Germany) bt S. Williams 6-4 3-6 6-4

2015 S. Williams bt Maria Sharapova (Russia) 6-3 7-6(5)

2014 Li Na (China) bt Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) 7-6(3) 6-0

2013 Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) bt Li 4-6 6-4 6-3

2012 Azarenka bt Sharapova 6-3 6-0

2011 Kim Clijsters (Belgium) bt Li 3-6 6-3 6-3

2010 S. Williams bt Justine Henin (Belgium) 6-4 3-6 6-2

2009 S. Williams bt Dinara Safina (Russia) 6-0 6-3

2008 Sharapova bt Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 7-5 6-3

2007 S. Williams bt Sharapova 6-1 6-2

2006 Amelie Mauresmo (France) bt Henin 6-1 2-0 (retired)

2005 S. Williams bt Lindsay Davenport (U.S.) 2-6 6-3 6-0

2004 Henin bt Clijsters 6-3 4-6 6-3

2003 S. Williams bt V. Williams 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4

2002 Jennifer Capriati (U.S.) bt Martina Hingis (Switzerland) 4-6 7-6(7) 6-2

2001 Capriati bt Hingis 6-4 6-3

2000 Davenport bt Hingis 6-1 7-5

1999 Hingis bt Mauresmo 6-2 6-3

1998 Hingis bt Conchita Martinez (Spain) 6-3 6-3

1997 Hingis bt Mary Pierce (France) 6-2 6-2

1996 Monica Seles (U.S.) bt Anke Huber (Germany) 6-4 6-1

1995 Pierce bt Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (Spain) 6-3 6-2

1994 Steffi Graf (Germany) bt Sanchez Vicario 6-0 6-2

1993 Seles (Yugoslavia) bt Graf 4-6 6-3 6-2

1992 Seles bt Mary Joe Fernandez (U.S.) 6-3 6-4

1991 Seles bt Jana Novotna (Czechoslovakia) 5-7 6-3 6-1

1990 Graf bt Fernandez 6-3 6-4

1989 Graf bt Helena Sukova (Czechoslovakia) 6-4 6-4

1988 Graf bt Chris Evert (U.S.) 6-4 6-4

1987 Hana Mandlikova (Czechoslovakia) bt Martina Navratilova (U.S.) 7-5 7-6(1)

1986 no competition

1985 Navratilova bt Evert 6-2 4-6 6-2

1984 Evert bt Sukova 6-7(4) 6-1 6-3

1983 Navratilova bt Kathy Jordan (U.S.) 6-2 7-6(5)

1982 Evert bt Navratilova 6-3 2-6 6-3

1981 Navratilova bt Evert 6-7(4) 6-4 7-5

1980 Mandlikova bt Wendy Turnbull 6-0 7-5

1979 Barbara Jordan (U.S.) bt Sharon Walsh (U.S.) 6-3 6-3

1978 Chris O’Neil bt Betsy Nagelsen 6-3 7-6(3)

1977 (Dec) Evonne Goolagong Cawley bt Helen Gourlay Cawley 6-3 6-0

1977 (Jan) Kerry Melville Reid bt Dianne Fromholtz Balestrat 7-5 6-2

1976 Goolagong Cawley bt Renata Tomanova (Czechoslovakia) 6-2 6-2

1975 Goolagong Cawley bt Navratilova (Czechoslovakia) 6-3 6-2

1974 Goolagong Cawley bt Evert 7-6(5) 4-6 6-0

1973 Margaret Court bt Goolagong Cawley 6-4 7-5

1972 Virginia Wade (Britain) bt Goolagong Cawley 6-4 6-4

1971 Court bt Goolagong Cawley 2-6 7-6(0) 7-5

1970 Court bt Melville Reid 6-1 6-3

1969 Court bt Billie Jean King (U.S.) 6-4 6-1

1968 King bt Court 6-1 6-2

1967 Nancy Richey (U.S.) bt Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-1 6-4

1966 Court bt Richey (walkover)

1965 Court bt Maria Bueno (Brazil) 5-7 6-4 5-2 (retired)

1964 Court bt Turner Bowrey 6-3 6-2

1963 Court bt Jan Lehane O’Neill 6-2 6-2

1962 Court bt Lehane O’Neill 6-0 6-2

1961 Court bt Lehane O’Neill 6-1 6-4

1960 Court bt Lehane O’Neill 7-5 6-2

1959 Mary Carter Reitano bt Renee Schuurman Haygarth (South

Africa) 6-2 6-3

1958 Angela Mortimer Barrett (Britain) bt Lorraine Coghlan

Robinson 6-2 6-4

1957 Shirley Fry Irvin (U.S.) bt Althea Gibson (U.S.) 6-3 6-4

1956 Carter Reitano bt Thelma Coyne Long (U.S.) 3-6 6-2 9-7

1955 Beryl Penrose Collier bt Coyne Long 6-4 6-3

1954 Coyne Long bt Jenny Staley 6-3 6-4

1953 Maureen Connolly Brinker (U.S.) bt Julia Sampson Hayward (U.S.) 6-3 6-2

1952 Coyne Long bt Helen Angwin 6-2 6-3

1951 Nancye Wynne Bolton bt Coyne Long 6-1 7-5

1950 Louise Brough (U.S.) bt Doris Hart (U.S.) 6-4 3-6 6-4

1949 Hart bt Wynne Bolton 6-4 6-4

1948 Wynne Bolton bt Marie Toomey 6-2 6-1

1947 Wynne Bolton bt Nell Hall Hopman 6-3 6-2

1946 Wynne Bolton bt Joyce Fitch 6-4 6-4

1941-45 No competition

1940 Wynne Bolton bt Coyne Long 5-7 6-4 6-0

1939 Emily Hood Westacott bt Hall Hopman 6-1 6-2

1938 Dorothy Cheney (U.S.) bt Dorothy Stevenson 6-3 6-2

1937 Wynne Bolton by Hood Westacott 6-3 5-7 6-4

1936 Joan Hartigan bt Wynne Bolton 6-4 6-4

1935 Dorothy Round Little (Britain) Nancy Lyle Glover 1-6 6-1 6-3

1934 Hartigan bt Margaret Molesworth 6-1 6-4

1933 Hartigan bt Coral Buttsworth 6-4 6-3

1932 Buttsworth bt Kathleen Le Messurier 9-7 6-4

1931 Buttsworth bt Marjorie Cox Crawford 1-6 6-3 6-4

1930 Daphne Akhurst Cozens bt Sylvia Lance Harper 10-8 2-6 7-5

1929 Akhurst Cozens bt Louise Bickerton 6-1 5-7 6-2

1928 Akhurst Cozens bt Esna Boyd Robertson 7-5 6-2

1927 Boyd Robertson bt Lance Harper 5-7 6-1 6-2

1926 Akhurst Cozens bt Boyd Robertson 6-1 6-3

1925 Akhurst Cozens bt Boyd Robertson 1-6 8-6 6-4

1924 Lance Harper bt Boyd Robertson 6-3 3-6 8-6

1923 Margaret Molesworth bt Boyd Robertson 6-1 7-5

1922 Molesworth bt Boyd Robertson 6-3 10-8