Morocco Edge Senegal on Penalties, Madagascar Stun Sudan to Reach Historic Final
The 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) semifinals delivered drama, grit, and history as Morocco and Madagascar booked their places in the final set for August 30th at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi. Hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, this East African edition of CHAN has already been hailed as one of the most competitive and inclusive in recent memory.
Morocco 1-1 Senegal (5-3 Penalties): Atlas Lions Show Their Nerves of Steel
In a clash of continental heavyweights, Morocco overcame defending champions Senegal in a tense semifinal that ended 1-1 after extra time, before sealing the win 5-3 in a penalty shootout.
⚽ Match Summary
- Senegal struck first in the 16th minute through J. Samb, who latched onto a clever pass from L. Guèye and slotted past the Moroccan keeper.
- Morocco responded swiftly, with Sabir Bougrine unleashing a thunderous strike from outside the box in the 23rd minute to level the score.
- The remainder of the match was a tactical chess game, with both sides creating half-chances but failing to convert.
- Extra time saw fatigue set in, and neither team could break the deadlock.
- In the shootout, Morocco converted all five penalties, while Senegal faltered when captain Seyni N’Diaye struck the crossbar with the opening effort.
🧠 Tactical Notes
- Morocco’s experience in knockout football was evident. Coach Tarik Sektioui deployed a compact midfield and relied on the creativity of Youssef Mehri, the tournament’s assist leader.
- Senegal’s youthful squad, led by Souleymane Diallo, showed promise but lacked composure in the final third.
Madagascar 1-0 Sudan: Barea’s Grit Shines in Historic Upset
In the other semifinal, Madagascar stunned a technically superior Sudan side with a 1-0 victory, marking their first-ever appearance in a CHAN final.
⚽ Match Summary
- The match was played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania, with Madagascar dominating early possession.
- Despite being reduced to 10 men, Madagascar held firm and found the breakthrough in the 116th minute via substitute Toky Rakotondraibe, who capitalized on a defensive lapse.
- Sudan had their chances, notably a missed header by Walieldin Khidir in the 53rd minute, but couldn’t find the net.
🧠 Tactical Notes
- Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe praised his side’s resilience, saying, “Our strength lies in believing until the last moment.”
- Madagascar’s compact defense and counter-attacking strategy proved decisive against Sudan’s possession-heavy approach.
East African Hosts Shine
This year’s CHAN tournament was co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, showcasing regional unity and footballing ambition.
- Kenya and Tanzania both reached the quarterfinals, a commendable achievement that reflects the growing strength of East African football.
- The tournament has been praised for its organization, fan engagement, and infrastructure upgrades across the host nations.
🏟️ Final Preview: Morocco vs Madagascar – Experience vs Heart
The final at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani promises a clash of philosophies:
| 🇲🇦 Morocco | 🇲🇬 Madagascar |
| Two-time CHAN champions | First-time finalists |
| Tactical depth & knockout pedigree | Grit, unity & underdog spirit |
| Nine goals scored in tournament | Three clean sheets in last four matches |
Morocco enters as favorites, but Madagascar’s fairytale run has captured the hearts of fans across the continent. With history on the line, expect fireworks in Nairobi.
Stay tuned for full coverage of the CHAN 2025 Final on August 30th. Will Morocco claim a record third title, or will Madagascar complete their Cinderella story?
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