Morocco held their nerve to eliminate defending champions Senegal in a tense penalty shootout and book their place in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) final. The Atlas Lions triumphed 5-3 on spot kicks after a 1-1 stalemate in their semifinal clash played in Kampala, Uganda on Tuesday evening.
It was a fiercely contested encounter, with Senegal looking dangerous on the counter while Morocco dominated possession. The Teranga Lions struck first after 15 minutes when Layousse Samb rose highest to head home Libasse Guèye’s corner, punishing slack Moroccan marking.
The Atlas Lions, however, responded swiftly. A poor clearance from Senegal’s defense fell kindly to Morocco’s set-piece specialist Sabir Bougrine, who produced a stunning volley from the edge of the box that left goalkeeper Marc Philips Diouf with no chance.
Drama unfolded early in the second half when Morocco’s Marouane Louadni was initially shown a red card for fouling Vieux Cissé, seemingly denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. VAR intervened, downgrading the decision to a yellow after replays suggested Cissé went down too easily.
Both sides pushed for a winner but lacked the finishing touch. Ayoub Khairi went close for Morocco midway through the second half, while Senegal’s Ababacar Sarr headed wide with the goal at his mercy late on. With extra time failing to produce a breakthrough, penalties decided the contest.
Morocco captain Mohamed Hrimat confidently opened the shootout before Senegal defender Mbaye Ndiaye struck the crossbar with his effort, handing the advantage to the Atlas Lions. The North Africans converted all five of their penalties to claim victory and seal their passage to the final.
Two-time winners Morocco now have the chance to set a new record for CHAN titles when they face Madagascar in Saturday’s final at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya (15:00 GMT). Senegal will play Sudan in the third-place playoff on Friday in Kampala.
