The Atlas Lions of Morocco have beaten Madagascar to emerge the champions of CHAN 2024 following a 3-2 triumph in the thrilling final played on Saturday in Nairobi, www.aclsports.com reports.
Madagascar and Morocco faced off in the eighth CHAN final at the packed MOI International Sports Centre in Kasarani. Madagascar went in front through Clavin Felicite in the early moments of the game, before Morocco stormed back to take with goals from Yousef Mehri and Oussama Lamiloui. However, Madagascar got back on level terms through Toky Rakotondraibe before Lamoloui scored a stunning goal to seal the victory.
It was expected to be a tight contest in the early exchanges, but a Madagascar goal in the opening ten minutes shocked the crowd, who were on the side of the Moroccans, inside the stadium. Some fine build-up by The Barea in the middle of the park saw Clavin Felicite unleash an unstoppable effort into the top left-hand corner for a shock lead.
Morocco, winners in 2018 and 2022, stepped up their game as they looked to get back into the contest. Skipper Mohamed Hrimat, who has been solid all tournament long, kept pushing his side forward, but they met a resolute defence led by goalkeeper Michel Toldo.
However, after much pressure, the Atlas Lions eventually found a way. A cross from the right was met by Yousef Mehri for the leveller in the 27th minute. From that moment on, the two-time champions continued to push forward for goals and a lead in the game for the first time.
Three minutes before the break, Morocco got their second goal of the game. Striker Lamiloui scored with a composed finish in the area from another cross from the right side to put the Atlas Lions ahead for the first time in the contest. The North Africans took the lead into the interval.
After the break, Morocco continued to attack, as they also kept men at the back looking for control. Three minutes after the restart, Lamiloui fired his effort over the bar, before Nomena Rafanomezantsoa tested Morocco goalkeeper Elmehdi Harrar from distance, but the keeper made a good stop to preserve his side’s lead.
However, eight minutes after the hour mark, substitute Toky Rakotondraibe got Madagascar back on level terms with a smart finish. The Barea grew into the game as Morocco started to push again for another goal. Having seen the goalkeeper off his line from distance, striker Lamiloui fired a stunning effort in from distance to give Morocco the lead again ten minutes from time. The Atlas Lions held on to win their first CHAN title since 2020.
Morocco have now won the CHAN tournament three times 2018, 2020 and 2024) – one more than any other side in the competition. For Madagascar, it is an improved outing for them, having finished third in the last edition in Algeria. Meanwhile, Senegal finished third by beating Sudan on Friday in Kampala.
