Morocco Crowned CHAN 2024 Champions: A Golden Chapter in African Football

Morocco wins CHAN 2024 after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Madagascar, securing their third title and confirming their dominance in African football.

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The African Nations Championship (CHAN) has long been a platform where African nations showcase the depth of their local talent. Unlike the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CHAN tournament is restricted to players who compete in their domestic leagues, making it a true reflection of grassroots football development.

On August 30, 2025, Morocco’s local national team, also known as the Atlas Lions A’, wrote another glorious page in their football history by defeating Madagascar 3–2 in a thrilling final held in Nairobi, Kenya. This victory marked Morocco’s third CHAN title, following their triumphs in 2018 and 2020. By achieving this feat, Morocco not only cemented its dominance in the CHAN but also demonstrated the strength of its domestic football infrastructure.

This article explores Morocco’s journey throughout CHAN 2024, the challenges they overcame, key statistics, standout players, and the broader significance of this victory for Moroccan and African football.

Morocco’s Historical Relationship with CHAN

Before diving into the 2024 edition, it is important to understand Morocco’s legacy in the tournament. The Atlas Lions had already won the title twice:

2018 (hosted in Morocco): A dominant campaign capped with a 4–0 win against Nigeria in the final.
2020 (hosted in Cameroon): Morocco retained the title by defeating Mali 2–0.

These successes established Morocco as a powerhouse in CHAN. Their domestic league, the Botola Pro, has consistently produced competitive players who later transitioned to the senior national team or professional contracts abroad. The CHAN triumphs are proof of Morocco’s strong investment in football academies and youth development programs.

Morocco’s Journey in CHAN 2024

Group Stage Struggles and Recovery

Morocco entered the tournament as one of the favorites, but their campaign began on shaky ground. Their opening match ended in a 1–0 defeat to host nation Kenya, shocking fans and critics alike. Doubts arose about whether Morocco could live up to its reputation.

However, instead of collapsing under pressure, the loss served as a wake-up call. The coaching staff, led by Abdelhak Benchikha, reorganized tactics and encouraged players to focus on teamwork rather than individual brilliance.

In their second group stage match, Morocco bounced back with a 3–1 win over DR Congo. Oussama Lamlaoui shined by scoring twice, while captain Mohamed Rabii Hrimat added a penalty goal. This victory restored confidence and reignited Morocco’s campaign.

The third match saw Morocco playing more cautiously, ensuring they qualified for the knockout stage. By the end of the group stage, the Atlas Lions had rediscovered their rhythm and momentum.

Quarterfinal Battle Against Tanzania

Facing Tanzania in the quarterfinal, Morocco displayed discipline and resilience. Despite the hostile atmosphere with the home crowd backing the opposition, Morocco secured a 1–0 victory. The match highlighted Morocco’s defensive organization, with Hrimat once again standing out as the midfield anchor.

This narrow win showcased Morocco’s ability to grind out results in difficult conditions—a trait often seen in championship-winning teams.

Semi-final Showdown with Senegal

The semi-final against Senegal, the defending champions, was arguably Morocco’s toughest challenge. Senegal opened the scoring, but Morocco fought back to equalize through Mehri. The match ended 1–1 in regulation time, leading to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

Morocco held their composure and triumphed 5–3 on penalties, sending them into the final. This victory was symbolic: Morocco dethroned the reigning champions and proved their resilience under immense pressure.

The Final Against Madagascar: A Night to Remember

The final in Nairobi was nothing short of dramatic.

9th minute: Madagascar stunned Morocco with an early goal by Felicité Manohantsa.
27th minute: Morocco equalized as Youssef Mehri converted a cross from Khalid Baba.
41st minute: Morocco took the lead through Lamlaoui’s header, assisted by Mohamed Boulaqsout.
68th minute: Madagascar leveled again with a header from Toky Rakonderwaibe.
80th minute: Lamlaoui scored a sensational long-range goal from nearly 40 yards, sealing Morocco’s 3–2 victory.

This final will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in CHAN history, combining skill, drama, and individual brilliance.

Key Statistics from CHAN 2024

Final Result: Morocco 3 – 2 Madagascar.
Top Scorer (Golden Boot): Oussama Lamlaoui with 6 goals.
Best Player (MVP): Mohamed Rabii Hrimat, captain and midfield maestro.
Prize Money: Morocco earned $3.5 million, while Madagascar received $1.2 million.
Total Goals Scored by Morocco: 11 goals throughout the tournament.
Clean Sheets: Morocco kept 2 clean sheets (against Tanzania and DR Congo for most of the game).

Player Spotlights

Oussama Lamlaoui – The Goal Machine

Lamlaoui was the tournament’s top scorer, earning the Golden Boot with six goals. His performance in the final, especially the extraordinary 40-yard strike, will be remembered as one of the greatest goals in CHAN history.

Lamlaoui’s ability to find spaces, his composure in front of goal, and his leadership in attack made him Morocco’s most decisive player.

Mohamed Rabii Hrimat – The Captain Fantastic

Hrimat was named Best Player of the Tournament. As captain, he led by example with his work rate, passing accuracy, and tactical intelligence. His role in controlling the midfield and motivating teammates was invaluable.

Hrimat’s leadership was not only about football; he kept morale high after the opening defeat and inspired the comeback that led to the trophy.

Youssef Mehri – The Creative Engine

Mehri’s goal in the final and his creativity throughout the tournament made him a key figure. His ability to break defensive lines with incisive passes added depth to Morocco’s attacking play.

The Coach’s Role – Abdelhak Benchikha

Credit must also go to Morocco’s coach Abdelhak Benchikha, who handled pressure remarkably well. After the opening defeat, he reorganized the squad and made crucial tactical adjustments. His trust in Lamlaoui as the central striker and Hrimat as the midfield pivot proved decisive.

Benchikha’s philosophy emphasized balance between defense and attack, allowing Morocco to adapt to different opponents while maintaining attacking flair.

Significance of Morocco’s Victory

Strengthening Morocco’s Football Reputation

This third CHAN title strengthens Morocco’s status as Africa’s most successful nation in the competition. It also highlights the quality of the Botola Pro league, which continues to nurture talents capable of excelling at the continental level.

Inspiration for Young Players

For Moroccan youngsters dreaming of professional football careers, this victory proves that local leagues matter. Many of the players could soon transition to Europe or earn spots in Morocco’s senior national team.

Boosting African Football Development

Morocco’s success also sets an example for other African nations. By investing in youth academies, infrastructure, and domestic leagues, countries can build strong local teams that perform well in international competitions.

Fan Reactions and Media Coverage

Fans across Morocco celebrated the win passionately, filling streets with national flags and chants of “Dima Maghrib!” Media outlets across Africa and beyond praised Morocco’s consistency, resilience, and attacking brilliance.

International platforms like CAF Online, PunchNG, and Morocco World News hailed the final as one of the most entertaining in CHAN history. Social media was flooded with clips of Lamlaoui’s wonder goal, which quickly went viral.

Lessons from Morocco’s CHAN 2024 Campaign

Resilience matters – The opening defeat could have derailed the team, but it became a catalyst for improvement.
Leadership is key – Hrimat’s influence both on and off the pitch was instrumental.
Teamwork fuels success – Lamlaoui’s goals would not have been possible without the support of his teammates.
Tactical flexibility wins tournaments – Morocco adapted their style against different opponents, a crucial factor in their success.

Conclusion

Morocco’s victory in CHAN 2024 is more than just a trophy—it is a testament to the strength of their domestic football system, the leadership of their captain, and the brilliance of their players. With this third title, Morocco has firmly established itself as the undisputed king of the African Nations Championship.

As the celebrations continue, the future looks bright for Moroccan football. The tournament not only produced memorable moments but also showed Africa—and the world—that Morocco’s football culture is thriving at every level.

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