CHAN 2024: Morocco edge Senegal on penalties to romp to Nairobi final

Morocco will get a chance to win their third African Nations Championship (CHAN) trophy in six years when they come up against Madagascar in Nairobi on Saturday, 30 August, after prevailing past defending champions Senegal in a nail-biter of a semifinal at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news

The Atlas Lions, champions of 2018 and 2020, produced a clinic in a nervy penalty shootout on Tuesday night, winning 5-3 after initially settling for a 1-1 draw in extra time.

The platform was set for Tarik Sektioui's men to snatch the memorable win when Seyni Mbaye struck the crossbar with Senegal's first penalty, a miss that ultimately went to condemn Souleymanne Diallo's side to a crushing defeat, as Morocco went seamless with all their attempts.

It was Youssef Mehri who dispatched the final kick of the game, capping off one of the games of the tournament, which had all of those gathered on tenterhooks.

Match Report

A game largely built up as the final before the final, both powerhouses began all too nervy, all too careful, and it was, in hindsight, the rash foul by Moussa Cisse that warmed a bit of blood, umping the crowd that at one point looked all in support of Senegal.

Just like they had done in their quarter-final win over Uganda, the Lions of Teranga were lethal on the break, and needed just two visits in the opposing half to carve themselves a chance at breaking the deadlock.

Gor Mahia on the verge of signing former New York Red Bulls striker

It all came from a corner, Libasse Gueye curling in a delightful ball that found the head of Joseph Layousse to glance into the net.

The delight on Souleymanne Diallo's face was evidence of his delight with his side, who had, for the first time in the competition, grabbed a goal in the first half.

Praised for their mature defense, it seemed like the writing was on the wall for Sektioui's side, only that they were up for a fist-fight, and got level within a flash.

A harmless ball into the Senegalese box handed Sabir Bougrine a chance to pick his spot, and he did just that, pouncing on a loose rebound to smack right past Marc Phillips Arona.

All square, just like everyone wanted, even as the Atlas Lions opted against celebrating a peach of an equaliser to hurdle up and plot a way to win the already emotional matchup.

An expectation of blood and thunder turned to the best kind of lift music for the better part of the half, and it was only late on that close chances came - Anas Bach stinging Arona, and Senegal skipper Assane Ciss heading wide from another delightful corner.

Ugandan star Allan Okello reacts to AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia links

Halftime meant some time to ruminate over what was, but it did not take time for a fresh period of drama to unfold.

Anass, playing off the left, ran towards a loose ball just in front of the Moroccan back four, only to entangle himself with Marouane Louadni, the referee brandishing the latter a straight red, as he deemed it a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.

But in the world of technology and increased scrutiny, VAR had a final say, prompting South Africa's Jelly Alfred to reverse his call to a yellow card, and calling for a free kick just outside the box, which Al Harrar superbly clawed away.

Nerves would be the word to best describe the minutes that followed, much hinged to emotions rather than all manner of tactical superlatives that were involved in making this game a big sell.

There was tournament top goalscorer Ousamma Lamlioui going close with a low shot that forced Arona to hit himself against the post, Ababacar Sarr heading wide from a throw-in, and substitute winger Salah Eddine fizzing a cross agonisingly wide.

On the touchline, Diallo stepped behind his bench, while Sektioui, looking like a suffering man, threw his arms in the air, shirt untucked.

Nothing was going well for either men, who were forced to make do with an extra 30 minutes of tension.

When there, tired bodies ran themselves rugged, forcing yet another tense watch in the shootouts, but it was Morocco who held their nerves.