CHAN 2024: Morocco Edge Five-Goal Thriller Against Madagascar to Win Record Third Title

Morocco became the first country to win three African Nations Championships titles when they beat Madagascar 3-2 at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

At a packed Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, and backed most of the fans in the match venue, Morocco nearly scored just after the first whistle when Oussama Lamlioui received the ball after a poor pass from the Madagascar defence but with only the goalkeeper to beat, he somehow took his shot wide.

That miss came back to haunt them shorty after as Madagascar opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

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A well-worked move from Madagascar, following a neat exchange of passes, saw Felicite Manohantsoa complete it in style as he curled into the top right corner to stun Morocco and the fans in the stadium, most of who were rooting for the Atlas Lions.

Morocco came close to responding to the early blow when Mohamed Boulacsout got into a good position in the box but shot over the bar in the 20th minute but they would make amends seven minutes later.

Khalid Baba floated in a great ball from a corner and Youssef Mehri connected well to head in the equalizer. The winger added goals to his name, having provided three assists already in the tournament.

Morocco would have added the second when Madagascar goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa was nearly robbed the ball after a meek attempt to play out from the back.

The two-time winners, however, got the second goal on the stroke of halftime when Oussama Lamlioui tapped home from the near post with a VAR check over a possible foul in the build-up concluding that the goal was legit.

In the second half, Morocco hogged possession but did not make it count and they would pay in the 68th minute when Toky Rakotondraibe caught the two Morocco centre-backs sleeping, getting past them in a flash, and slotting past goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar.

Morocco responded by laying siege at the Madagascar goal and from a corner, Lamlioui almost scored from a low shot but the island nation had a defender at the near post who saved the day with his outstretched leg.

With Madagascar employing a defensive approach to try and run down the clock, Morocco were patient and kept coming. The decisive moment arrived nine minutes from time when Lamlioui pulled off the spectacular.

Seeing the goalkeeper off his line, the Morocco forward took a shot from the halfway line and watched it sail over the custodian and into the net, sending the stadium into ecstasy.

It was a goal worth winning the final as Morocco held firm in the final minutes to claim victory and the trophy for a third time.

Victory sees Morocco return to the winners’ podium since winning the trophy on home soil in 2020 with their other title coming in 2018.

Morocco will also pocket the $3.5 million prize for winning the trophy while Madagascar, who improved on their third-place finish of 2022 to second in 2024, will take home $1.2 million for their efforts.