NAIROBI, KENYA | Two-time African Nations Championship (CHAN) winner Morocco will face Madagascar in Saturday’s final at the 2024 CHAN, capping a tournament that began on August 2 with 19 competing teams. The match, held at Nairobi’s Chinese-built Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani, promises to be a landmark event, as both sides pursue glory in the prestigious CAF competition reserved for players active in their domestic leagues.
Morocco, known as the Atlas Lions, booked their spot in the decider by defeating defending champions Senegal on penalties in Uganda. The North African side comes in as the overwhelming favorite, seeking to become the first nation to win three CHAN titles. Moroccan coach Tarik Sektioui praised his squad’s resilience. “It was a tough match against the defending champions, but the players showed composure in the key moments. We have fought hard to reach this stage, and now we want to win the trophy again,” he said.
The Atlas Lions’ CHAN pedigree is formidable: they thrashed Nigeria 4-0 in the 2018 final and defended their crown with a 2-0 victory over Mali in 2020. Morocco has also scored in every knockout game of this edition, demonstrating consistency and dominance in high-pressure matches.
Madagascar, nicknamed the Barea, will make history as the first South African island nation to reach a CHAN final. The team has already surpassed its previous showing in Algeria in 2022, when it won bronze on its debut. The Barea advanced after a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Sudan in Dar es Salaam, despite playing with 10 men for nearly an hour. Madagascar also upset co-host Kenya in the quarterfinals via penalties. Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe tempered expectations ahead of the final. “Beating Sudan doesn’t mean we will win the title. We lost two players before the final, but we have several replacements who can make a difference,” he said.
The final is set to be a packed spectacle at the 48,000-seat Moi International Sports Center, with all tickets reportedly sold out. Madagascar reportedly secured 25,000 tickets and subsidized travel costs for its fans, underscoring the historic nature of the match.
As Morocco seeks a third title and Madagascar aims for its first, the CHAN final promises drama, skill, and history in the making.