Morocco has secured a third African National Championship (CHAN) title after overcoming a resilient first-time finalists Madagascar 3-2 in a thrilling final at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

In the final at the fully-packed stadium on Saturday, August 30, the Atlas Lions — champions in 2018 and 2020 — weathered a struborn Malagasy side to come out on top, in a match that saw a majority of home fans (Kenyans) support the North Africans.

The tournament’s top scorer Oussama Lamlaoui scored twice, including a spectacular 40-yard strike, to ensure that Morocco is prevailing. He finished the tournament with six goals.

The win means that Morocco will lift the CHAN trophy, get the gold medal as well as $3.5 million prize money, while Madagascar’s fairy-tale run means the get silver medal and a $1.2 million payout.

According to CAF, Madagascar’s CHAN 2024 run, though bittersweet, is a remarkable story.

“In just their second CHAN appearance, they became the first island nation and the 13th country overall to reach a CAF senior final,” CAF says in their website. “Their counterattacking verve and mental strength — having edged Sudan in extra time in the semi-final — won them admirers across the continent.”

PAMOJA 2024

The final on Saturday, August 30 was the penultimate of an extra-ordinary month-long tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

All the stadiums, especially Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium, were consistently full, ecstatic. Beautiful football displayed from Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Amani Stadium in Zanzibar, Mandela Stadium in Kampala (Uganda), and Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums in Nairobi (Kenya).

CAF President Patrice Motsepe, in a press conference before the finals, hailed the PAMOJA 2024 as the most succesful CHAN tournament ever.

On his part, FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania for a “seamless” CHAN 2024 football bonanza.