Morocco Penalise Senegal on Penalties to Seal CHAN 2024 Final Place Against Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium

Morocco advanced to the finals of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after edging Senegal 5-3 on penalties in Uganda, setting up a final meeting with Madagascar at Kenya's Kasarani Stadium next Saturday.

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After what was a rather first seven minutes, the first real action of the match came in the seventh minute when Senegal’s Moussa Cissé saw yellow  for a soft challenge on Morocco’s Youssef Mehri, making it his second of the campaign.

This did not stop Senegal from taking the game to Morocco, and before long, they would be taking the lead in the 16th minute through left back Joseph Layousse Samb, who rose highest to head it home unmarked from a brilliant left-footed delivery by Libasse Guèye.

Their lead would not last long, as Morocco restored parity through Sabir Bougrine in the 23rd minute following an intricate quick pass-and-move sequence.

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The game then became end to end, with both sides creating some opportunities to take the lead, and in the 40th minute, Morocco nearly doubled their advantage through Anas Bach, whose shot forced Senegal keeper Marc Philips Arona Diouf into a good save.

Morocco left back Youssef Belammari ran with the ball down the left flank before delivering a beautiful cross that met Youssef Mehri, who controlled it well and set it up well for Bach, but his shot would not get better of the Senegalese custodian.

Both sides came out in the second half knowing they had to do everything it took to get the winner, and in the 50th minute, there was a moment of controversy when Marouane Louadni was given a straight red card for fouling Senegal substitute Vieux Cissé when through on goal.

However, the center referee had to be called to the VAR monitor in order to review the incident, and upon a lengthy look at the incident, reduced Loudani’s punishment to just a yellow card, but still awarded Senegal a freekick from a dangerous area.

From the resultant dead ball attempt, Morocco keeper El Mehdi Al Harrar was forced to make a good save to deny Layousse Samb from scoring a second, as his left shot would otherwise easily have found the target.

Morocco then also had a chance to score in the 66th minute from a bullet Mehri header after winning a freekick of their own, and again, Senegal keeper Arona Diouf would have to make a brilliant dive to deny him, rattling himself against the post in the process which required medical attention.

They had another chance three minutes later from a counter attacking situation when Mehri, who was starting to become a handful for Senegal to work with, delivered a low cross from the left into the box toward Bougrine who then found Ayoub Khairi, but his shot went just wide off target.

The Atlas Lions continued dominating proceedings, but experienced a heart-stopping moment in the 78th minute when a good cross by Oumar Ba caused confusion in their box and found Cisse, who headed it wide.

Both teams however could not find the finishing touch, which forced the game into extra time.

Morocco continued to knock on the door for the first half of added time, but to no avail,  which meant it all had to stem down to the final 15 minutes, none of which saw any side create real chances anyway, forcing the game into a penalty shootout situation.