Morocco’s coach Tarik Sektioui has attributed the team’s dominance of African football to unwavering support from the government, as well as the presence of world-class sporting infrastructure, and functional development structures.
At the same time, Sektioui, 47, has paid glowing tribute to Kenyan fans for the warm welcome and support that they extended to his team at the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), saying it played a key role in their triumph.
Morocco’s coach Tarik Sektioui.
Photo credit: Pool
Cheered on by thousands of enthusiastic Kenyan fans, Morocco, nicknamed “Atlas Lions” extended their dominance in Chan tournament to an unprecedented third title with a 3-2 win over Madagascar in the final at the 48,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani on Saturday. Morocco won back-to-back Chan titles in 2018, and in 2020.
Morocco players celebrate after winning the 2024 Chan trophy at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on August 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Sektioui said Saturday’s victory is “momentous” for Moroccans and particularly him as it adds to his rich coaching history. He coached Morocco to a historic bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games. At club level, he won the 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup with Moroccan side RS Berkane.
“I would like to thank his Majesty King Mohammed. We are here thanks to his support, vision and the strategy that he has put in place,” said Sektioui. Some of the major sporting infrastructures in Morocco include the Mohammed VI Football Academy which is equipped with world-class facilities.
Morocco also has world-class stadiums in Marakech, Fez, Tangier, Agadir (Adrar) and in Rabat.
Because of its impressive sports infrastructure, Morocco has hosted major sports events in recent times. They include the 2019 African Games in Rabat, 2020 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in Laayoune, 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and Fifa Club World Cup in 2023. Morocco is now gearing up to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from December 21 to January 18. They will also co-host the 2030 Fifa World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco also boasts some of the top clubs in Africa, including Raja Casablanca, Renaissance Sportive De Berkane, and Wydad Casablanca. These clubs have dominated both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
President William Ruto presents the 2024 Chan trophy to Morocco captain Mohammed Rabie Hrimat at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on August 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Seven members of Morocco’s team that competed in 2024 Chan, including goalkeeper Elmehdi Al Harrar and defender Mohamed Boulacsout, are from Raja Casablanca. The tournament’s top scorer Oussama Lamlioui is among five players from Renaissance Berkane in Morocco’s squad.
On Saturday, Sektioui said that from being welcomed with flowers, and dancers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to being widely cheered on in the final, support from Kenyan fans contributed significantly to their title triumph.
“The Kenyan fans stood with us. They gave us wings to fly high and to play with confidence,” Sektioui, who played for many top clubs in Europe, including at FC Porto in Portugal and at Auxerre in France, said.
“They have been very warm, kind and friendly towards us. Today (Saturday), they also demonstrated that, and I can only say thank you for your support. I am delighted we spent a memorable time here (Nairobi,” he added.
A staggering 45,028 fans attended the final, the majority either with faces painted in Moroccan colours, or dressed in the team’s replica jerseys. The passionate home fans cheered the African football giants from the first whistle to the last, often shouting “Morocco! Morocco!”, and booing Madagascar whenever the Indian Ocean islanders pushed forward.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe (left), Kenyan Head of State William Ruto, Fifa President Gianni Infantino present the 2024 Chan trophy to Morocco captain Mohammed Rabie Hrimat at Kasarani on August 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Many Kenyan fans said they opted to support Morocco in the final since Madagascar eliminated Harambee Stars from the competition in quarter-finals. Still, many Kenyan fans had taken issue with the cancellation of Kenya’s second goal against Madagascar in the quarter-finals, arguing that it should have stood. The goal scored by striker Ryan Ogam in the second half was cancelled due to a foul in the build-up, but Kenyan fans, including Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy thought the foul was “extremely soft”.
Still, many Kenyan fans rallied behind Morocco because the north Africans had “done them a favour” by eliminating their bitter rivals Tanzania at the quarter-final stage. Madagascar defeated Kenya 4-3 in post-match penalty shoot-outs after the match had ended 1-1 at the end of regular time and extra time. On the other hand, Morocco defeated hosts Tanzania 1-0.
In Saturday’s final, fans erupted in celebration whenever Morocco scored, and shouted “VAR! VAR!” whenever Madagascar scored. Morocco were Group “A” and played in Nairobi alongside Kenya.
They defeated Angola (2-0), Zambia (3-1), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (3-1) and lost 1-0 to 10-man Kenya.
