- Morocco defeat Senegal 1 (5) – 1 (3) on penalties to advance to the CHAN 2024 final.
- The match took place on Tuesday, August 28, at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Uganda.
- Morocco will face Madagascar in the final in Nairobi, while Senegal remains in Uganda to play Sudan on Friday in the third-place playoff.
It felt like a final in Uganda before the grand showdown in Nairobi, as defending champions Senegal and two-time titleholders Morocco clashed in a thrilling Africa Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) semifinal at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium on Tuesday night.
Unlike the first semifinal where Madagascar secured a spot in the final before a subdued crowd at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, the Mandela venue witnessed a vibrant and electric atmosphere.
Fans packed the stands as Joseph Layousse Samb opened the scoring for Senegal in the 16th minute, only for Sabir Bougrine to level it with a stunning strike in the 23rd.
After 120 minutes of high-octane football, the match ended in a 1-1 deadlock, forcing a penalty shootout where Morocco kept their cool to win 5-3 and secure a spot in the final against Madagascar
Morocco’s spot-kick takers were clinical: Mohamed Rabie Hrimat opened with a brilliant strike into the bottom right as Oussama Lamlaoui followed with a confident shot into the bottom left.
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Ayoub Khairi added a powerful effort into the same corner. Anas Bach slotted his attempt straight down the middle. Youssef Mehri sealed the victory with a composed finish into the bottom right.
For Senegal: Seyni Ndiaye missed the opening kick, rattling the crossbar. Velho Cisse, Baye Ciss, and Daouda Ba converted their attempts, but the early miss proved costly.
With this victory, the Atlas Lions now have a chance to reclaim their CHAN crown for the third time, while Senegal must settle for a third-place playoff against Sudan.
Morocco vs Senegal match summary
First Half
The match kicked off with intensity, with both teams pressing high and creating early chances. Senegal broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Joseph Layousse Samb headed home a well-placed corner from Libasse Guèye.
Morocco responded quickly, as Sabir Bougrine unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from outside the box, curling it into the top right corner to make it 1-1.
Before halftime, both sides came close again. Morocco’s Anas Bach fired a rocket from just outside the box, but Senegal goalkeeper Marc Philips Arona Diouf made a superb save.
Moments later, Moussa Cisse had a similar attempt for Senegal, only to be denied by Morocco’s shot-stopper El Mehdi Al Harrar.
Second Half VAR drama and missed chances
The second half continued with the same tempo.
Oussama Lamlioui had an early chance, but his effort was deflected for a corner.
In the 53rd minute, controversy struck when Moroccan defender Marouane Louadni was initially shown a red card for a foul on Vieux Cisse.
However, after a VAR review, the decision was downgraded to a yellow card, sparing Morocco from going down to ten men.
Senegal almost regained the lead with a Layousse Samb free kick from 19 yards, but Al Harrar was equal to the task.
Morocco had a golden opportunity in the 70th minute when Ayoub Khairi’s shot from inside the box narrowly missed the target.
As full-time approached, both teams pushed hard but were met with resolute defending. Morocco’s late flurry of corners and set pieces in stoppage time could not break the deadlock, leading to extra time.
Extra Time: A battle of wills as Morocco defeat Senegal to book the final spot
Extra time offered little in terms of clear chances. In the 102nd minute, Salaheddine Errahouli came close with a free-kick after Mohamed Boulacsout was fouled, but his shot drifted wide.
The final 15 minutes were a tense affair, with both sides cautious and focused on avoiding late mistakes.
Ultimately, the deadlock persisted, and it was penalties that decided the contest.
Morocco’s composure from the spot earned them a dramatic win and a shot at continental glory.
Morocco vs Senegal CHAN 2024 semifinal lineups
Morocco Starting XI:
Harrar, Bach, Louadni, Boulacsout, Lamlioui, Bougrine, Belammari, Mehri, Hrimat, Baba, Mchakhchekh.
Senegal Starting XI:
Diouf; Assane Ciss, Ndiaye, Daouda Ba, Layousse Samb, Moussa Cisse, Yaya Ly, Moctar Koite, Oumar Ba, Libasse Gueye, Christian Gomis.