Morocco edged past Tanzania with a hard-fought 1-0 victory to secure a place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, marking the third time in the tournament’s history that the Atlas Lions have reached this stage. The match, held at the buzzing Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, showcased Morocco’s experience in high-pressure situations as they silenced the raucous support of the home crowd.
The decisive moment came from striker Oussama Lamlaoui, who delivered the only goal of the match in the 65th minute. Capitalizing on a clever assist from Youssef Belammari, Lamlaoui struck from close range, neatly placing the ball beyond the reach of Tanzania’s goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman. This goal was the culmination of a tense battle where both teams had previously exchanged tactical blows.
From the outset, the contest unfolded as a tightly contested duel. Tanzania, riding high on the success of an unbeaten group stage, pushed forward with vigor and intensity. They created promising chances through their dynamic forwards, Clement Mzize and Feisal Salum. However, Morocco’s El Mehdi Al Harrar was exceptional in goal, demonstrating composure and sharp reflexes to deny the Taifa Stars any success in front of the net.
Morocco, having initially appeared on the back foot, gradually found their rhythm and began to control the tempo of the game. Their breakthrough was a result of swift and intelligent movement, with Belammari darting into the penalty area before setting up Lamlaoui for the finish. This crucial goal was Lamlaoui’s third of the tournament, underscoring his importance to the Moroccan attack.
Despite the setback, Tanzania refused to capitulate and surged forward with renewed determination. Mzize nearly leveled the score with a powerful header from a well-placed cross by Mohamed Hussein. As the match drew to a close, substitute Nassor Saadun fired an ambitious shot over the bar, leaving the home crowd in despair. The atmosphere in the stadium crescendoed as the match entered stoppage time, with supporters hoping for a late equalizer. Still, Morocco’s resilient defense, anchored by the experienced duo of Mohamed Moufid and Mehdi Mchakhchekh, withstood the bombardment, securing the victory.
For Morocco, this match served as a potent reminder of their pedigree and dominance in the competition. The two-time champions managed the game with admirable composure, showcasing depth despite the absence of key defenders Bouchaib El Arsi, Marouane El Ouedni, and Abdelhak Assal. Head coach Tarik Sektioui was likely buoyed by his team’s ability to absorb pressure and capitalize on their opportunities at critical moments. Remarkably, this victory marked Morocco’s seventh consecutive win in the knockout stages of CHAN since 2014, reinforcing their position as one of the tournament’s most formidable teams.
Meanwhile, Tanzania exits the tournament with their heads held high, having made significant strides on the continental stage. As co-hosts, they topped Group B and reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Coach Hamad Suleiman’s side epitomized organisation, unity, and resilience throughout the tournament, their defensive record — conceding only two goals across five matches — matching the best in the competition. The fervent home support reflected an increasing passion for football in the nation, turning this campaign into a defining moment for Tanzanian football.
Looking ahead, Morocco sets its sights on the semi-finals, hoping to follow in the footsteps of their title-winning campaigns in 2018 and 2020. For Tanzania, although the journey ends here, their achievements this year will serve as a strong foundation for future generations and inspire greater belief in East African football.
