Morocco has secured a historic third African Nations Championship (CHAN) title after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Madagascar in Nairobi on August 30, 2025.
The Atlas Lions made history at the Moi International Sports Centre by becoming the first nation to win the competition three times.
The tournament, exclusively for players competing in African domestic leagues, witnessed a final that will be remembered for its intensity and drama.
The night belonged to Oussama Lamlioui, the RS Berkane striker, whose outstanding performance defined the match. Lamlioui struck twice, with his second goal – an extraordinary 40-metre strike in the 80th minute – sealing Morocco’s victory in spectacular fashion.
“It was a moment of pure footballing magic,” fans said as the stadium erupted in celebration.
Morocco’s journey to the title was far from straightforward. After an unexpected group-stage defeat to Kenya (1-0), coach Tarik Sektioui’s side regained form, defeating defending champions Senegal in the semi-final. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Morocco holding their nerve to win 5-3 in a tense penalty shootout.
Madagascar, making its first-ever appearance in a CHAN final, earned widespread praise for its fearless performances. The Barea overcame Sudan 1-0 in the semi-final and pushed Morocco to the limit in the final. Despite the loss, their remarkable run has raised hopes for future success.
This triumph adds to Morocco’s growing dominance in African football, with previous CHAN titles in 2018 and 2020, as well as recent victories in U17, U23, men’s and women’s futsal, and a strong showing at the Qatar World Cup.
Beyond the sporting achievement, the win brought the Royal Moroccan Football Federation a prize of 3.5 million US dollars, while runners-up Madagascar earned 1.2 million dollars.
For coach Tarik Sektioui, the victory marks both a milestone and a fresh chapter as Morocco now looks ahead to the African Cup of Nations in December and the 2026 World Cup.
About The Author
