Morocco chasing Chan history after trouncing Senegal

Morocco and Senegal players warming up at a nearly empty Namboole Stadium ahead of their CHAN 2024 semi-final.[Rodgers Eshitemi/Standard]

The 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) will have a new champion after holders Senegal were eliminated by two-time winners Morocco at a nearly empty Namboole Stadium, Kampala on Tuesday.

Atlas Lions trounced the Lions of Teranga 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw both in regular and extra time. With the victory, Morocco have kept their dreams of a third-historic title in the tournament involving local-based players alive. They will face Madagascar in the final at Kasarani Stadium on August 30.

Morocco scored all their five penalties through Mohamed Hrimat, Oussama Lamlioui, Ayoub Khairi, Anas Bach and Youssef Mehri with Seyni Mbaye Ndiaye missing the first penalty for Senegal.

It was the West Africans who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Joseph Layousse's header before Sabir Bougrine scored a wonder goal in the 23rd minute to make it 1-1.

Morocco came close in the 12th minute but Youssef Belammari couldn't control a heavy pass through pass from the midfield before Libasse Gueye earned a free kick for the defending champions on the opposite end. But Christian Gomis ballooned his shot.

But in the 16th minute Joseph Layousse gave the Lions of Teranga the lead after comfortably beating goalkeeper Elmehdi Al Harrar with a free header from Libasse Gueye's corner kick.

Morocco could have drawn level instantly but good defending denied Oussama Lamliou a scoring chance. However, their efforts paid off seven minutes later when enterprising Sabir Bougrine latched on a loose ball to unleash a worldie to cancel out Layousse's opener.

Mohamed Boulacsout then squandered a precious opportunity to put the Atlas Lions in the driving seat ln half hour mark after receiving a cross from Lamliou on the left channel.

Moments later, Anas Bach forced a fine save from Senegal goalkeeper Marc Philips Arona before Moussa Cisse's long range effort was parried away into a fruitless corner by Atlas Lions custodian Al Harrar.

Layousse then made a brilliant clearance to stop Boulacsout's dangerous cross four minutes into the second half before substitute Vieux Cisse was fouled at the edge of the box by Marouane Louadni in the 53rd minute. Louadni was lucky to remain on the pitch thanks to VAR intervention as it reversed the referee's decision to red card him. The resulting Moussa Cisse's free kick was headed out for corner.

Layousse, who was a thorn in Morocco defence, forced another fine save from Al Harrar before Marc Philips Arona was at full stretch on the other end to stop Youssef Mehri's close range effort.

Moments later substitute Ayoub Khairi just tapped the ball wide with Marc Philips Arona only to beat in the posts. Both defences stood tall as they played cautiously before the Match was decided on penalties.