At Mandela National Stadium, Morocco secured their spot in the CHAN 2024 final by edging out Senegal in a tense penalty shootout (5-3). It was a nail-biting qualification, as the Atlas Lions faced a determined Senegalese side.
Quickly trailing after Layousse Samb (16th minute) put the Lions of Teranga ahead, Tarik Sektioui’s men responded with a superb volley from Saber Bougrine (23rd minute), leveling the score before halftime.
In the second half, the game shifted with Louadni’s sending-off. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, allowing Morocco to maintain their numerical advantage. The Senegalese continued to press and troubled the Moroccan defense, which wavered at times but held firm.
During extra time, the Lions of Teranga also had their moments of threat. Senegalese goalkeeper Diouf denied several attempts from Lamlioui and Mehri, while the opposing counterattacks could have also proved deadly. In the end, neither team broke the deadlock, and everything was decided by a penalty shootout.
It was at this moment that the Moroccans showed composure, winning 5-3 in the decisive shootout. Despite the scare, they advance to the final, where they will face Madagascar in pursuit of the continental title.
