Football fans are in for a treat as two African heavyweights — Morocco and Senegal — lock horns for the first time in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) when they meet in a blockbuster semi-final clash in Kampala on Tuesday.
This high-stakes encounter brings together the last three CHAN champions. Morocco, the titleholders in 2018 and 2020, are set to challenge reigning champions Senegal in what promises to be a tactical and physical battle between North and West Africa’s best domestic-based talent.
Morocco comes into the semi-final with an impressive record, having won four matches en route, including a narrow 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Tanzania. A win on Tuesday would mark their third CHAN final appearance, surpassing the likes of DR Congo, Ghana, and Mali.
The Atlas Lions have displayed attacking dominance throughout the tournament, scoring nine goals — the highest among the semifinalists — and creating more chances than any other team. Forward Oussama Lamloui has been a standout, scoring four goals in three consecutive games. If he nets again, he will join CHAN legends Ayoub El Kaabi and Soufiane Rahimi as one of the tournament’s top Moroccan scorers in a single edition.
Midfielder Youssef Mehri has also impressed, leading the tournament in assists (3) and chances created (10), while the team has maintained defensive stability with two clean sheets and just three goals conceded.
Morocco’s only CHAN loss in their last 18 matches came back in 2014, highlighting their recent dominance.
Senegal’s road to the semi-finals has been less flashy but highly effective. After edging co-hosts Uganda 1-0 in the quarterfinals, they have now gone four consecutive knockout games without conceding a goal — all 1-0 wins. Their hallmark has been defensive discipline and clutch performances in tight moments.
Though they have scored just three goals in four matches — all in the second half — each came from a different scorer, showcasing depth in key moments. Goalkeeper Marc Diouf has been a standout, making five crucial saves in the quarterfinals alone.
Senegal has never lost a CHAN semifinal in open play, having drawn both of their previous appearances at this stage (2009 and 2022) — one of which they won on penalties. A victory would see them join Morocco in the exclusive club of defending champions to reach back-to-back finals.
