Morocco secured a record third African Nations Championship (CHAN) title with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Madagascar in an exhilarating final at Nairobi’s Moi International Stadium. The match was a thrilling five-goal showdown that saw the Atlas Lions overcome a resilient Barea side.
Madagascar, playing in only their second final, started strongly and took a deserved lead in the ninth minute through Calvin Felicite Manohantsoa. However, their lead was short-lived as Youssef Mehri equalized for Morocco just 18 minutes later. Oussama Lamlioui then gave Morocco the lead with a superb finish, putting the two-time champions ahead before halftime.
The second half saw Madagascar fight back, with Toky Rakotondraibe capitalizing on a defensive error to level the score. Just as the game seemed destined for extra time, Lamlioui sealed his heroics and the title for Morocco with a stunning 40-yard strike that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Despite their late surge, Madagascar could not find an equalizer, but their second-place finish capped an impressive tournament performance. Morocco’s Mohamed Hrimat was named Player of the Tournament, while Lamlioui’s two goals in the final helped him claim the Golden Boot with six goals in total. Senegal’s goalkeeper Marc Diouf won the Golden Glove.
