Morocco are the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) champions.
The Atlas Lions won their third CHAN title after coming from behind to stun Madagascar 3-2 in a five-goal thriller match played at the MISC Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.
Man of the Match Oussama Lamlioui scored a brace, including a stunning winner, to lead the North Africans to glory in Nairobi as they painted Kasarani red with their traditional home colours on their jersey.
Victory sees Morocco add to their 2018 and 2020 CHAN titles, making them the most successful nation in the history of the continental football competition played with players who feature in their respective native leagues in Africa.
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The Barea had the perfect start for a nation that has rewritten history in the competition so far when Felicite Manohantsoa netted in the ninth minute to hand Madagascar an early1-0 lead.
Youssef Mehri, however, put Morocco right back into the match with an equaliser in the 27th minute before Oussama Lamlioui gave the Atlas Lions a 2-1 lead after netting at the stroke of half-time.
In the final half, Madagascar coach Romuald Rakotondrabe responded with three substitutions in search of an equaliser, bringing in semifinal hero Toky Rakotondraibe, Andriamirado Andrianarimanana and Mamisoa Rakotoson.
After the hour mark, Toky Rakotondraibe rewarded his coach for putting him early in the second half by restoring parity for Madagascar after finishing off Felicite Manohantsoa’s flicker, controlling the ball from the penalty area and slotting a low shot past a charging El Mehdi Al Harrar for 2-2 in the 68th minute.
Seeking to reclaim their lead, Morocco’s Mohamed Boulacsout carried the ball from inside his own half, blitzing past the cautious Madagascar defence before seeing his outside foot shot right inside the box saved by a diving Michel Ramandimbisoa.
Jean Ranaivoson responded immediately for Madagascar, sending a lopping header to test Al Harrar, who despite being off his line, collected the ball easily.
Nine minutes from time, Oussama Lamlioui produced a moment of magic, scoring a screamer almost from the halfway line to beat Ramandimbisoa, who was far outside his goal line as Morocco went ahead 3-2.
Ramandimbisoa had sent the ball to open play, a goal kick that Morocco midfielder Mohamed Hrimat won by heading the ball back towards Lamlioui, who did not waste time but volleyed the bouncing ball towards the Madagascar goal and completed his brace.
The audacious effort left fans — and even opponents — applauding, underlining his status as the tournament’s standout player.
That goal effectively settled Moroccan nerves, but Madagascar refused to bow out quietly.
Despite late Malagasy pressure, including two corners deep into stoppage time, Morocco held firm to claim their third CHAN crown in six years.
For Madagascar, this was a bittersweet end to a remarkable story.
In just their second CHAN appearance, they became the first island nation and the 13th country overall to reach a CAF senior final.
Their counterattacking verve and mental strength — having edged Sudan in extra time in the semi-final — won them admirers across the continent.