Morocco advanced to the final of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 after defeating holders Senegal 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Tuesday night.
The Atlas Lions, champions in 2018 and 2020, will now face Madagascar in Saturday’s final in Nairobi after the island nation beat Sudan earlier in the day.
Senegal had taken the lead in the 16th minute when Joseph Layousse headed home from a Libasse Guèye corner, but Morocco responded quickly as Sabir Bougrine unleashed a powerful strike from distance to level the match seven minutes later. Both sides created chances before the break, with Layousse missing a second header and goalkeeper Marc Diouf denying Morocco’s Anas Bach.
The second half was tense, with Morocco dominating possession while Senegal continued to pose a threat from set pieces. Goalkeepers El Mehdi Al Harrar and Diouf made crucial saves to keep the scores level, and extra time produced late drama but no goals as fatigue took its toll.
The match was ultimately decided by penalties, where Morocco showed composure by converting all five of their attempts through Hrimat, Lamlaoui, Khairi, Bach, and Mehri. Senegal fell behind after captain Seyni Ndiaye struck the crossbar with their first kick, and though Vieux Cissé, Baye Ciss, and Daouda Ba all scored, the holders could not recover.
Morocco’s victory secured their third CHAN final appearance in six years and ended Senegal’s hopes of back-to-back titles. Head coach Tarik Sektioui praised his players’ mentality, while Senegal’s Souleymane Diallo expressed pride in his young side despite the painful exit.
The Atlas Lions will now target a record-equalling third CHAN crown when they meet Madagascar in Saturday’s final at Nairobi’s Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, while Senegal will contest the third-place playoff against Sudan in Dar es Salaam.
