Morocco’s Atlas Lions’ win over Madagascar in the 2024 CHAN final at Moi International Stadium, Kasarani has earned its place in the record of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) competitions after breaking a major record in the competition’s history.

Saturday’s win over Barea did not only extend the Maghreb national record as the most successful team in the competition’s history but also claimed its place as the highest-scoring final since the inception of the competition in 2009.

The pulsating five-goal thriller at Kasarani just edged the 2018 final pitting Morocco against Nigeria that saw the Atlas Lions stroll to an emphatic 4-0 victory in the best-scoring final.

The February 4, 2018, finale at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Morocco, was contested by Morocco, the host nation, and Nigeria.

History makers

The host, while making their appearance as the first host nation to reach a final, silenced Nigeria with four unanswered goals for the honours.

Meanwhile, Oussama Lamlaiou’s fine strike in the final minutes of the 2024 finals ensured that Nairobi’s final took its place as the new highest-scoring final of the competitions.

Dubbed as a goal worthy of winning any match, Lamlaiou’s looping strike from almost the centre of the pitch saw the Atlas Lions rally from a goal down to edge Bareas 3-2 in a thrilling cliffhanger.

How Morocco won

Madagascar, playing in their first-ever CHAN final, stunned fans when Félicité Mantasoa fired the Barea ahead early in the game. The opening goal silenced the stadium, as the island nation showed no fear against the two-time champions.

Morocco quickly responded with determination. Youssef Mehri equalised in the 27th minute, and just before half-time, Oussama Lamlaoui struck to put the Atlas Lions ahead 2-1. 

Toky Rakotondraibe restored parity for a resilient Madagascar team, sending the game to 2-2 and keeping alive hopes of an unforgettable upset.

It was, however, not to be for the Islanders, as Lamlaoiu came clutch in the final moments, striking again to seal the 3-2 win.

The win also saw the new champions earn three berths in the players’ individual brilliance accolades, with attacker Oussama Lamlaoui leading the best performers as the top scorer with six goals.

The brace-hero in the final clash also took home the 2024 Golden Boot after topping the scoring charts as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals.

Tournament MVP

He was joined by his compatriot, Rabie Mohammed Hrimat, who was named the Player of the Tournament. The Moroccan No. 24 bagged crucial goals in the preliminary stages against Zambia and DR Congo as the North Africans went on to finish second to Kenya in Group A.

Senegal’s custodian, Marc Diouf, bagged the Best Goalkeeper’s Award following an impressive display as the last line of defense for the West Africans.