It was a David and Goliath final: Madagascar, who’d never made it beyond the semi-finals, against African football giants Morocco – CHAN title holders in 2018 and 2020.
Few expected the Malagasy side to get this far, but their victory over hosts and tournament favourites Kenya in the quarter-finals (4-3 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw) had begun to turn heads.
In the end, Morocco’s star striker Oussama Lamlioui scored twice to help the Atlas Lions to a 3-2 victory and claim a record third CHAN title.
It makes Morocco the most successful nation in CHAN – the men’s football competition reserved only for players active in their home countries.
Madagascar, playing in the final of a major continental football competition for the first time, took a surprise lead in the ninth minute with a long-range strike from Felicite Manohatsoa.
But Youssef Mehri broke clear of the Malagasy defence to level in the 27th minute and Lamlioui
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