Morocco Clinches Third CHAN Title After Beating Madagascar in Thrilling Final

Morocco lifted the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) trophy after edging Madagascar 3-2 in a thrilling final held at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday, August 30.

The match began with a stunning start as Madagascar’s Félicité Mantasoa struck in the 9th minute, handing the island nation an early lead.

However, Morocco quickly regrouped, with Youssef Mehri equalizing in the 27th minute. Just before halftime, Oussama Lamlioui found the net in the 44th minute, putting the Atlas Lions ahead and shifting momentum in their favor.

Madagascar showed resilience and refused to bow out easily. Toky Rakotondraibe leveled the score once again in the 68th minute, keeping the contest wide open and the fans on edge.

But Morocco sealed their triumph late in the game. Lamlioui scored his second of the night in the 80th minute, clinching a 3-2 win that sent the Kasarani crowd into raptures.

The victory crowned Morocco as the 2024 CHAN champions, marking yet another historic milestone for the Atlas Lions.

Morocco’s CHAN Legacy

The win makes Morocco a three-time CHAN champion, having previously claimed the titles in 2018 and 2020.

In 2018, Morocco defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Casablanca, becoming the first host nation to win the tournament.

In 2020, they repeated the feat with a 2-0 victory over Mali, making them the first country to win back-to-back CHAN titles.

Since making their debut in 2014, Morocco has appeared in five editions of CHAN: 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2024. Notably, they did not participate in the 2022 edition.

Currently ranked 12th in the FIFA world rankings, Morocco’s CHAN success highlights the depth of their domestic talent. The team is managed by Tarik Sektioui, who now joins the list of coaches to deliver continental silverware for the Atlas Lions.

The 2024 CHAN, which ran from August 2 to August 30, showcased the best homegrown football talent across Africa, with Morocco once again proving their dominance on the continental stage.