CHAN 2024: Six key battles that will decide final

Madagascar and Morocco will be battling for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) trophy, which will most likely be decided by individual battles across the pitch.

After month-long intense and competitive matches, the curtains will draw on the 2024 CHAN today, Saturday 30 August, when the two nations face each other.

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The final battle will be held at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani, a venue that will also host the closing ceremony.

Morocco, who finished second after Kenya in Group A, qualified to the finals after a 1-1 (5-3 on penalties) victory over Senegal in the quarterfinals, while Madagascar eliminated Sudan 1-0 - the only goal coming late in extra time.

While each area of the pitch, in the dugout, and even the stands, will have battles, Mozzart Sport looks at six battles that are likely to decide the winner.

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Michel Ramandimbisoa vs El Mahdi Al Harrar

The first battle will happen between the posts where Madagascar's Michel will battle it out with El Mahdi of Morocco on the opposite side.

Throughout this tournament, goalkeepers have proven to be match winners, often keeping their teams in the match even when the tide goes against them.

Michel, in particular, has undoubtedly been the main man behind Madagascar's success on the pitch, and one of the tournament's best players.

El Mehdi, on the other hand, had been standing tall as the last line of defense for the Atlas Lions, and will once again expected to be at his best today.

Ousama Lamlioui vs Nantenaoza Randriamanapisoa

High up the pitch, Morocco will be banking on Lamlioui for goals, just like they have done throughout the tournament.

Lamlioui had proven his worth in front of goal throughout the tourney, and currently sits at the apex of the goal scoring chart with four goals.

He is also the front runner for the golden boot as his challenger, Lalaina Claver currently has two goals.

Nantenaoza will be the man tasked to stop Lamlioui from hurting Madagascar and will be handling perhaps his biggest task in the tournament.

This battle will have a great influence on the final’s overall winner.

Lalaina Claver vs Mohamed Hrimat

The midfield battle between Madagascar's Lalaina and his Moroccan counterpart Hrimat will be arguably the biggest in the match.

Both players are technically gifted and calm on the ball, and will be tasked with their respective teams to control the tempo of the match.

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Additionally, they have an eye for goal with both having two goals to their names.

However, Claver has a slight edge having assisted three times making him the highest (5) goal contributor in the tournament.

Andy Rakotondrajoa vs Sabir Bougrine

Still in midfield, with Morocco expected to dominate the match, Rakotondrajoa will be the man tasked with screening the defense and providing an anchor for Madagascar.

However, he will have the creative and versatile Bougrine to deal with.

Bougrine must also be at his best and provide the runs behind the midfield to support the forwards as has been his case in the tournament.

This midfield battle will have a great impact on the title as the winner is most likely to also be on the winning team.

Felicite Manohantsoa vs Anas Bach

With Fenohasina Razafimaro red carded in the semi final and out of today's match, Manohantsoa is the man likely to be called upon to lead the line.

Felicite has been Razafimaro’s understudy, but will now be thrown into the deep end and expected to sail Madagascar through to the title.

27-year-old Bach will be the man tasked with keeping Manohantsoa silent throughout the match, and ease the burden for Morocco at the back.

Bach will however have to up his game and be worried with the fact that Morocco has only kept two clean sheets in the tournament.

Romuald Felix vs Tarik Sektioui

One of the biggest battle of the day will happen on the touchline, where Romuald of Madagascar will face off with Sektioui of Morocco.

Romuald has proven his worth in this edition by leading Madagascar to the final, when in most matches, they were the underdogs.

The tactical discipline that his side plays with has been a marvel to watch in the tournament.

On the opposite side, Sektioui will be keen to wipe the tears of last edition, when Morocco lost the final to Senegal on home soil by taking the brand new trophy to Rabat.

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