Morocco’s locally-based national team will meet defending champions Senegal in the semi-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Tuesday evening in Kampala, in a contest widely viewed as a final before the final.
The clash, scheduled for 18:30 at Mandela Stadium, brings together two of Africa’s most successful sides in recent editions of the competition. Morocco are chasing a historic third CHAN title, while Senegal, winners of the previous tournament, are determined to retain their crown.
Both teams arrive at this stage after overcoming major challenges in the quarter-finals. Morocco edged past hosts Tanzania with a 1-0 victory in Dar es Salaam, silencing a crowd of over 40,000 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Despite missing key defensive figures such as Bouchaib Arssi, Marouane Louadni and Abdelhak Assal, the Atlas Lions displayed tactical discipline and resilience to keep their opponents at bay.
Morocco also boast the tournament’s most potent attack, having scored nine goals so far. Under coach Tarik Sektioui, the team extended their winning run in knockout matches, now unbeaten in seven straight fixtures dating back to 2014. Leading their frontline is Oussama Lamlioui, the top scorer of the competition with four goals.
He is supported by captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat and forward Youssef Mehri, giving the Atlas Lions a trio of attacking threats capable of unsettling any defence.
Senegal, guided by coach Souleymane Diallo, present an equally formidable challenge. The Lions of Teranga hold the best defensive record of the tournament, conceding just once.
Their disciplined backline has been the foundation of their success, helping them secure a narrow but decisive 1-0 victory over hosts Uganda in the last round. That result reinforced their reputation as one of the strongest and most organised teams in the competition.
This semi-final is particularly significant as it pits the last two CHAN winners against one another. Morocco, crowned in 2018 and 2020, face Senegal, who lifted the trophy in 2022. Only one side will progress to the final and keep alive the dream of continental supremacy.
The match is expected to deliver a high level of intensity, with both teams boasting strong tournament pedigrees. Morocco’s attacking prowess will test Senegal’s defensive discipline, while Senegal’s compact structure and efficiency in front of goal will challenge Morocco’s backline, which remains weakened by injuries.
While the spotlight will fall on the heavyweight showdown between Morocco and Senegal, the other semi-final will feature Sudan against Madagascar earlier on Tuesday at 15:30, also in Kampala. Sudan advanced after eliminating Algeria, runners-up in 2022, on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Madagascar, meanwhile, overcame hosts Kenya in another shootout, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate.
With the prospect of a third CHAN crown for Morocco or back-to-back triumphs for Senegal, the outcome of this semi-final could shape the legacy of the competition’s eighth edition. For many, it is the encounter that feels worthy of the final itself.
