The Moroccan national team of local players won its third African Nations Championship (CHAN-2024) title, writing a new page in Moroccan football history with this historic record.
The local Atlas Lions defeated Madagascar (3-2) in the CHAN 2024 final in Nairobi on Saturday, claiming their third continental title.
Morocco secured a historic third title in the African Nations Championship, becoming the new record-holder of the tournament ahead of DR Congo.
King Mohammed VI has sent a message of congratulations to the winners of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN-2024), emphasizing that he followed with great pride and enthusiasm their “well-deserved victory in the final,” jointly organized by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
“It is a source of joy and pride to extend to you my warm congratulations for this continental victory, the third of its kind, which strengthens the exceptional recent achievements and performances of Moroccan football on the continent, while commending the efforts of all the members of the national team, players, coaches, technical, medical, and administrative staff, as well as the leaders of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation,” wrote the Sovereign in his message.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Kenya’s William Ruto, and chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf have also congratulated Morocco on CHAN victory.
Tarik Sektioui’s men prevailed against Madagascar (3-2) after a roller-coaster match played at Nairobi’s Moi International Stadium, which was fully behind them.
The Malagasy side opened the scoring early, in the 9th minute, through Félicité Mantasoa against the run of play. But the Atlas Lions quickly reacted: in the 27th minute, Youssef Mehri equalized from a pass by Khalid Baba, after a foul won by captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat.
Under pressure, Madagascar multiplied errors and turnovers near their own box. In the 44th minute, Oussama Lamlioui, already the tournament’s top scorer, restored Morocco’s lead.
The Malagasy team did come back into the game in the 68th minute thanks to substitute Toky Rakotondraibe, but Lamlioui struck again with a stunning goal in the 80th minute, set up by Mohamed Rabie Hrimat.
Morocco’s Oussama Lamlioui has been crowned the Puma Top Scorer of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after scoring his fifth and sixth goals of the tournament in the Atlas Lions’ 3-2 victory over Madagascar in Saturday’s final.
The striker’s decisive brace – in the 44th and 80th minutes – not only secured Morocco’s third CHAN title but also set him apart in the Puma Top Scorer race.
Oussama Lamlioui’s second goal that sealed Morocco’s victory in the final was described by international media as spectacular.
The Moroccan striker made headlines by scoring an exceptional goal from nearly 40 meters out in the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) against Madagascar.
CNews commented that Lemlioui’s stunning strike was a goal for the history books that crowned a glorious triumph.
The Casablanca-born forward, who plays for RS Berkane, lifted the Atlas Lions with a long-range shot from almost 40 meters that hit the back of the net in the 80th minute.
For Foot Mercato, Lamlioui netted a brace, with his wonder goal ultimately delivering victory.
With this decisive goal and final win, Morocco secured its third CHAN title in Kenya, Foot Mercato stated.
Besides the two goals in the final, Oussama Lemlioui scored four other goals in the tournament held from August 2 to 30 across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
He finished ahead of South Africa’s Thabiso Kutumela, Uganda’s Allan Okello, and Algeria’s Soufiane Bayazid, who each scored three goals.
Meanwhile, Moroccan midfielder and captain of the Atlas Lions Mohamed Rabie Hrimat was named the best player of this 8th edition of CHAN.
Rabie Hrimat had already been named best player in Morocco’s matches against Angola and Tanzania.
After their triumphs in 2018 at home and in 2021 in Cameroon, the Atlas Lions confirmed their dominance of African local national football with this third continental crown.
The third place in this edition went to Senegal, who beat Sudan 4-2 on penalties (regular time: 1-1) in the classification match on Friday in Kampala.