Morocco vs Senegal: CHAN 2024 Semifinal preview, prediction
Morocco vs Senegal in 2024 CHAN semi-final. Photo Credit- CAF online
The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), sets the stage for a blockbuster semifinal as two-time champions Morocco face defending champions Senegal on August 26, 2025, at 8:30 PM (GMT) at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. This clash of titans, pitting the Atlas Lions against the Teranga Lions, promises high-stakes drama in a tournament exclusive to domestic league players. With both teams showcasing formidable form, this preview delves into their performances, tactical approaches, and predicts the potential scoreline for this crucial encounter.
Morocco’s performance
Morocco, champions in 2018 and 2020, have lived up to their billing as favourites despite a bumpy group stage in Group A. After a 2-0 win over Angola, they suffered a 1-0 upset to 10-man Kenya, with Ryan Ogam’s goal exposing defensive frailties. The Atlas Lions bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Zambia and a commanding 3-1 win against DR Congo, where Oussama Lamlioui scored twice. In the quarterfinals, Morocco edged hosts Tanzania 1-0 on August 22, with Lamlioui’s 65th-minute strike securing their seventh consecutive CHAN knockout-stage win since 2014, per CAF. Their 10 goals scored and four conceded reflect a potent attack but occasional defensive lapses, especially with injuries to key defenders Bouchaib El Arsi, Marouane El Ouedni, and Abdelhak Assal.
Morocco’s tactical approach
Coach Tarik Sektioui deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing possession and quick transitions. Morocco’s strength lies in their attacking fluidity, with wingers Youssef Belammari and Mohamed Rabie Hrimat stretching defenses to create space for Lamlioui. Midfielders control the tempo, with Hrimat’s versatility (two goals, one assist) adding dynamism. Defensively, goalkeeper Elmehdi Al Harrar’s heroics against Tanzania, making three key saves have been vital, though the absence of regular defenders has forced reliance on squad depth. Sektioui’s side excels at set pieces, scoring three goals from dead balls, and their ability to manage games under pressure, as seen in Dar es Salaam, makes them formidable.
Key players in Morocco
Oussama Lamlioui (FW), the tournament’s top scorer with four goals, including the winner against Tanzania, his clinical finishing is Morocco’s trump card. Elmehdi Al Harrar (GK), with his saves against Tanzania’s Clement Mzize kept Morocco in the game, showcasing his reliability, and Mohamed Rabie Hrimat (MF), with two goals and an assist, his box-to-box presence drives Morocco’s attack.
Senegal’s performance
Senegal, the 2022 CHAN winners, have been a model of consistency in Group D, remaining unbeaten with two wins and two draws. They opened with a 1-0 victory over Nigeria, with Serigne Koite’s goal, followed by a 0-0 draw with Sudan and a 1-1 stalemate against Congo. In the quarterfinals, Senegal defeated hosts Uganda 1-0 on August 22, with Oumar Ba’s 62nd-minute strike proving decisive in front of 35,000 fans at Mandela National Stadium. Their defensive record is stellar, conceding just one goal in four matches, thanks to goalkeeper Marc Diouf’s seven saves and a disciplined backline. However, their three goals scored suggest a reliance on efficiency rather than attacking flair.
Senegal tactics
Coach Souleymane Diallo favours a 4-3-3 formation, prioritizing defensive solidity and quick counter-attacks. Senegal’s midfield, led by Serigne Koite, focuses on winning second balls and disrupting opponents, as seen in their containment of Uganda’s possession-based game. Forwards Libasse Gueye and Oumar Ba exploit spaces behind high defensive lines, with Ba’s goal against Uganda showcasing his poacher’s instinct. Diallo’s pragmatic approach, described as “ruthless in the final third” in a pre-Congo press conference, relies on absorbing pressure and capitalizing on set pieces or defensive errors. Senegal’s low goal tally reflects a conservative style, but their ability to grind out results makes them dangerous.
Key players in Senegal
Oumar Ba (FW), with his match-winner against Uganda and relentless work rate make him Senegal’s attacking focal point. Marc Diouf (GK), with his late saves against Uganda, his composure under pressure is critical and Serigne Koite (MF) with his goal against Nigeria and midfield tenacity anchor Senegal’s game plan.
Morocco vs Senegal head-to-head record
Morocco and Senegal have never met in CHAN, making this their first encounter in the competition. Their broader rivalry favours Morocco, who won 3-1 in a 2020 friendly and drew 0-0 in a 2021 AFCON qualifier. Senegal’s CHAN triumph in 2022, defeating Algeria on penalties, gives them an edge in clutch moments, but Morocco’s knockout pedigree, seven straight elimination wins, sets a high bar. Both teams’ familiarity with high-stakes matches, as noted by critics, promises a tactical chess match.
Morocco vs Senegal score prediction
This match is likely to be a cagey affair, with both teams’ strengths canceling each other out. Morocco’s attacking edge, driven by Lamlioui’s form, gives them a slight advantage, but Senegal’s defensive solidity and counter-attacking threat could force extra time or penalties, as seen in their 2022 title run. Morocco’s seven knockout wins suggests they thrive under pressure, but Senegal’s unbeaten run and low concession rate point to a stalemate.
