Chijioke Gabriel
Morocco stamped their authority on African football once again, clinching a record third African Nations Championship (CHAN) crown with a pulsating 3-2 victory over debutant finalists Madagascar at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Saturday night.
The Atlas Lions, winners in 2018 and 2020, were stretched to the limit by the fearless islanders, but class, pedigree, and one man’s genius — Oussama Lamlaoui — made all the difference. The Moroccan forward struck twice, taking his tournament tally to six, and delivered the night’s immortal moment: a 40-yard thunderbolt that caught Malagasy goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa off his line, stunning even Madagascar’s players into applause. That audacious strike will live forever in CHAN folklore.
Madagascar, playing in only their second CHAN, refused to be mere spectators. Toky Rakotondraibe’s equaliser briefly silenced Moroccan fans after Lamlaoui’s opener, while Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa’s late strike sparked dreams of a miracle comeback. But Morocco’s steel held firm, their backline repelling wave after wave of Malagasy attacks in stoppage time.
As fireworks lit up the Nairobi sky, Morocco pocketed the $3.5 million prize money and sealed their reputation as CHAN’s undisputed kings. For Madagascar, silver — and a $1.2 million payout — was more than consolation. It was history. They became the first island nation to ever reach a CAF senior final, announcing their arrival on Africa’s football map with fearless counterattacks and a stunning semi-final upset of Sudan.
This year’s “PAMOJA 2025” edition, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, will be remembered for its packed stadiums, electric atmospheres, and the drama of a final that captured the very soul of African football.
In the end, Morocco stood tallest — organised, resilient, and ruthless. But for Madagascar, the fairytale only just began.
