Chan 2024: The might of Morocco vs the dream of Madagascar, oh, what a final matchup

On one side, Morocco — kings of Chan in 2018 and 2020, hardened, tactically refined, and with a squad that oozes pedigree. On the other, Madagascar — the improbable first finalists whose fearless run has already been added to the annals of Chan history.

When the two meet on Saturday at the iconic Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi, it will be more than just a final. It will be a collision of royalty and dreamers; of a team that, rightly, expects to win and another that, wishfully, dares to believe it can.

Morocco coach Tarek Sektioui was clear in Kampala after their semifinal triumph over Senegal on Tuesday: “In one way we have taken it away from them (Senegal), and we are more than prepared to become champions,” he said.

“We played with honesty. Everyone would love to be part of this team. I love these players, their values, their commitment. I’m satisfied with everything.”

For him and his men, the mission is not just about reaching the final; it is about restoring Morocco to the throne they lost to Senegal in the 2022 edition. 

Youssef Belammari, dazzling again in Tuesday’s semi-final win over the Teranga Lions and voted Man of the Match, offered a blunt declaration: “We played so well and we deserved to go through and I would love to dedicate this to the Moroccan people.”

Madagascar’s Barea, though, will not be in Nairobi to make up the numbers. Toky Rakotondraibe’s extra-time winner over Sudan at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadiun in Dar es Salaam earlier on Tuesday sent the Indian Ocean island nation into their first Chan final, and their camp believe the fairytale has a chapter left.

Yet for all the romance, the Atlas Lions know they have the tools to puncture dreams. 

With Sabir Bougrine pulling strings, Belammari tormenting markers, and captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat calmly steering the ship, the Atlas Lions have enough craft and experience to silence even the most stubborn storybook ending.

While Morocco and Madagascar head to Nairobi, attention at Namboole in Kampala will shift to Senegal and Sudan for the bronze match.

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Senegal’s crown was wrenched away in painful fashion on Tuesday night, losing 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes of open play.

Teranga Lions coach Soulleymane Diallo admitted the pain, but quickly turned his eyes forward: “My boys played very well in this semi-final, but in the end, there has to be a winner,” he said.

“Now we focus on the bronze match. We would love to have that medal and we shall play for it.”

Friday’s play-off is no small matter for the Lions of Teranga. A bronze would be scant consolation, but it would also confirm their consistency at this level. 

For Sudan, beaten heartbreakingly late by Madagascar, the motivation is clear — to leave the tournament with something tangible.

Morocco’s passage to the final was anything but routine. They fell behind to Joseph Layousse’s thumping 16th-minute header, only to respond with Bougrine’s spectacular strike seven minutes later.

The drama escalated after half-time when referee Jelly Alfred Chavani flashed a straight red card at Morocco’s Marouane Louadni for bringing down Vieux Cisse — only for VAR to downgrade it to yellow. Both sides threw everything forward, but after 120 minutes it remained deadlocked 1-1.

In the shoot-out, Morocco’s cool heads prevailed. Hrimat, Oussama Lamlioui, Ayoub Khairi, Anas Bach and Mehri all scored; Seyn Mbaye Ndiaye’s thundered miss off the bar sealed Senegal’s fate.

Earlier in Dar es Salaam, Madagascar had clung on through tension and heat until Rakotondraibe struck in the 116th minute to knock out the resilient Sudan.

So the final is set: a polished heavyweight against a final first timer. Morocco’s determination will meet Madagascar’s romance under Nairobi’s floodlights.

Either the Atlas Lions will reclaim their crown, or the Barea’s Cinderella tale will have its apt ending.