Photo: Tanzania Football Federation
An East African massacre was completed by Morocco on Friday at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as the Atlas Lions bounced co-hosts Tanzania with a 1-0 quarterfinal victory at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
With another co-host sent packing earlier on Friday after Kenya’s defeat to Madagascar, RS Berkane forward Oussama Lamlioui completed a splendid team movement to give Morocco the only goal of the match in the second half to eliminate Tanzania.
In the 65th minute, Sabir Bougrine’s clever pass found the forward run of left back Youssef Belammari whose cross found Lamlioui for a near post finish past Taifa Stars goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman.
Co-hosts Tanzania showed plenty of energy from the start but failed to convert their opportunities, allowing Morocco to play their way into the match and drain the enthusiasm of the home support. Clement Mzize had a brilliant chance to open the scoring at the end of the first half but Morocco keeper El Mehdi Al Harrar saved a rather tame effort from the Young Africans star.
Morocco proceeded to show their class in the second half and Lamlioui’s goal was well deserved. The Tanzanian attack ran out of ideas and failed to make any impact on the flanks with attackers constantly running into walls of well organized Moroccan defenders. With the crowd silent by the end, the Tanzanian effort faded quietly without a firm final push to try and level the match.
Two-time CHAN champions Morocco advance to the semifinals where they will face the winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal between defending champions Senegal and the final co-host standing, Uganda. The Cranes and Senegal begin Saturday’s quarterfinals action (14:00 GMT) before Sudan clash with Algeria (17:00 GMT) to finish the round with the winner set to face Madagascar.