The 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) witnessed a thrilling semi-final clash between defending champions Senegal and two-time winners Morocco at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium. The match, a showcase of tactical prowess and individual brilliance, ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout that saw Morocco emerge victorious with a 5-3 scoreline. This victory propelled the Atlas Lions to their third CHAN final in six years, setting the stage for a showdown against surprise package Madagascar.
The match began with Senegal asserting their dominance early on, capitalizing on a corner kick in the 16th minute. Joseph Layousse, rising above the Moroccan defense, connected with Libasse Guèye’s delivery to head the ball into the net, giving the defending champions an early lead. However, Morocco’s response was swift and decisive. Just seven minutes later, Sabir Bougrine unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from outside the box, sending the ball soaring into the top corner and leveling the score. This stunning equalizer not only brought Morocco back into contention but also shifted the momentum in their favor.
The remainder of the first half saw both teams create scoring opportunities, but neither could find the back of the net again. Layousse missed a close-range header for Senegal, while Morocco’s Anas Bach saw his effort thwarted by goalkeeper Marc Diouf. The second half continued in a similar vein, with a cautious approach adopted by both sides. Morocco gradually gained control of possession, while Senegal remained dangerous on set pieces. Goalkeepers El Mehdi Al Harrar and Marc Diouf played crucial roles for their respective teams, producing a series of impressive saves to keep the score level. Harrar denied Layousse and Seyni Ndiaye, while Diouf stood firm against attempts from Youssef Mehri and Oussama Lamlaoui, ensuring the match remained deadlocked at 1-1.
Extra time brought its own share of frantic moments but failed to yield a decisive goal. Morocco came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 119th minute when Lamlaoui’s header was expertly tipped over the bar by Diouf. Just moments earlier, Senegal’s Bonaventure Fonseca had sent a shot narrowly over the target. With the score remaining unchanged after 120 minutes of play, the match headed to the dreaded penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout proved to be a test of nerves for both teams. Morocco displayed remarkable composure, converting all five of their spot-kicks. Hrimat, Lamlaoui, Khairi, Bach, and finally Mehri all stepped up and confidently dispatched their penalties, putting immense pressure on Senegal. The defending champions faltered from the start, with captain Seyni Ndiaye striking the crossbar with their opening penalty. Although Vieux Cissé, Baye Ciss, and Daouda Ba managed to convert their subsequent penalties, Senegal’s initial miss proved costly. Morocco’s perfect record from the spot sealed their 5-3 victory, ending Senegal’s hopes of a consecutive CHAN title and securing their place in the final.
The semi-final clash lived up to its billing as a contest between Morocco’s tournament experience and Senegal’s youthful energy. Morocco demonstrated resilience, experience, and discipline, weathering Senegal’s early pressure and ultimately prevailing in the decisive moments. While Senegal’s dream of defending their title was dashed, their young squad showcased their potential and left the tournament with their heads held high. Moroccan coach Tarik Sektioui praised his team’s composure under pressure, highlighting their hard-fought journey to the final. Senegal’s coach Souleymane Diallo acknowledged the disappointment of the penalty shootout defeat but emphasized the bright future of his young team.
The final, scheduled to be played at Nairobi’s Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, will see Morocco face Madagascar, who emerged as the tournament’s surprise package after defeating Sudan in the other semi-final. For Morocco, it is an opportunity to reclaim continental dominance and add a historic third CHAN title to their trophy cabinet. This achievement would solidify their status as one of the most successful teams in the history of the competition. Senegal, despite their semi-final exit, can take pride in their performance and look forward to the future with optimism, knowing that they have a talented young squad capable of achieving great things. The third-place playoff against Sudan in Dar es Salaam offers them a chance to end their campaign on a high note and gain valuable experience for future tournaments.
