22/07/2025
Morocco's youthful Atlas Lions are quickly establishing themselves as formidable contenders for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN). In a compelling display in Kenitra on Saturday, they secured a strong 2-1 victory over fellow CHAN participants, Burkina Faso, further solidifying their impressive form.
This latest win follows hot on the heels of their commanding 6-0 thrashing of Chad in June, underscoring their burgeoning momentum despite a tight preparation schedule. With the CHAN tournament kicking off on 2nd August across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, head coach Tarik Sektioui appears to be masterfully crafting a cohesive and confident squad, drawn exclusively from promising domestic talent born in 2000 or later.
After a cautious opening 45 minutes, Morocco truly asserted their dominance in the second half. The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute by Bouchaïb Arrasi of Raja Casablanca, who expertly found the back of the net. Just four minutes later, Younes El Kaabi from Racing Casablanca doubled their lead, putting the Atlas Lions firmly in control. Although Burkina Faso managed to pull one back late in the game through Papus Naser Ouattara, Morocco held firm to clinch a well-deserved victory.
Coach Sektioui’s side, who are exempt from CHAN qualifiers due to CAF’s seeding protocol, find themselves in a challenging Group A alongside co-hosts Kenya, DR Congo, Zambia, and Angola. However, these recent performances have undoubtedly provided a significant boost to both morale and tactical cohesion within the squad.
The "Lion Cubs" are set for one final warm-up match against Burkina Faso again on Thursday, 24th July, also in Kenitra, before they jet off to East Africa for the main event. With a potent blend of individual brilliance and blossoming team chemistry, Morocco is sending a clear message: they're not just there to participate – they're coming to win!