CHAN Final: Experience meets Underdog Resilience in the Last Hurrah!
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
The CHAN journey has reached its climax
19 teams entered the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is being played in 2025, with hopes of lifting the prestigious continental title. However, as we head into the final, that number has been narrowed down to just two nations: two-time champions Morocco and debutants at this stage, Madagascar.
With the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, this is an opportunity for either team to build confidence ahead of the crucial tournament that will secure them a spot in the most prestigious upcoming competition, the FIFA World Cup.
Will Morocco, with their experience in this competition, be able to clinch their record third title, or will the underdogs with big dreams cause a major upset? Find out what our Sportytrader betting experts have to say in our Madagascar vs Morocco prediction.
Recap: Madagascar's path to the final
Madagascar has emerged as the surprise package in this year's African Nations Championship (CHAN) . Little was expected from them in this tournament, with their journey predicted to be short-lived. In fact, expectations were leaning towards the nation not surviving beyond the group stage.
Against all odds, they put shame into the critics and silenced every doubt to secure a second-place finish in Group B. During that stretch, they managed two wins, suffered a solitary defeat, and drew one of their four group stage games.
It was a rocky start at first, as Barea couldn't win their first two games. However, the ending was nothing short of spectacular, winning their final two games against the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso (2-1).
Once again, there were doubts about how far they would go in the knockout stages. Doing what they do best, they proved their mettle on the grandest stage and cruised past Kenya in the quarter-finals, securing a 4-3 win on penalties, and beat the favored three-time semi-finalists, Sudan, 1-0 in extra time despite being at a numerical disadvantage on the field.
Madagascar: Being in the final is already a big achievement
Madagascar has never reached the African Nations Championship final, meaning this is their first appearance. This achievement marks a significant milestone as it makes them the only island nation to achieve such a feat.
However, they did come close in 2022 when they got eliminated in the semi-final and had to settle for a bronze medal after finishing in third place.
Triumphing over the African giants Morocco in the final this Saturday could see them win their first-ever continental title and etch their name in the history books.
Recap: Morocco's path to the final
Morocco failed to impress in the group stages of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). In a group they were meant to dominate, they found themselves finishing as runners-up right behind the host nation, Kenya, in Group A. They won three of their four games and suffered a solitary defeat.
What mattered at the end was that Tarik Sektioui's men were able to reach the knockout stages. In the quarter-finals, they had no trouble sweeping aside Tanzania in a 1-0 victory.
Their biggest test came in the semi-finals. Staring at the tournament's defending champions, Senegal, they played to a drab 1-1 draw and saw out a goalless exchange in extra time, forcing the game to a penalty shootout. It was tense, but they managed to come out on top in a 5-3 victory to earn themselves a berth in the final.
The Atlas Lions have experience on the continental stage
Morocco is a nation that rarely needs an introduction because of their unwavering dominance on the continental stage. For starters, this is a nation that has racked up three continental trophies to date. To conclude this matter, they are two-time African Nations Championship (Chan) champions.
The Atlas Lions clinched their first title in this tournament in 2018 and became the first nation to retain it in 2022. Currently, they are tied with DR Congo as the most successful teams in CHAN because of the two trophies collected.
Tarik Sektioui's men are on the verge of making history, as a victory over Madagascar will see them clinch their third title in this competition and become the most successful nation.
Key Players to Watch Out For
Oussama Lamlioui has been Morocco's focal point of attack in this competition. The 26-year-old has four goals to his name and is the first top goalscorer in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). This Saturday, he will be out to frustrate Madagascar's defense as he tries for a goal.
Toky Rakotondraibe can be a key asset to Madagascar clinching their first-ever continental title. He is the reason behind the nation making their first appearance in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) final, as he scored the winning goal in the 116th minute against Sudan in the semi-finals. His services will be needed once again in the crucial stages.
