Morocco’s national home-based football team is peaking at just the right time, recording a second consecutive friendly win ahead of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).
In Kenitra on Saturday, they secured a strong 2-1 victory over fellow CHAN contenders Burkina Faso. The youthful Atlas Lions appear to be serious title contenders.
This result follows Morocco’s impressive 6-0 win against Chad in June, showcasing their growing momentum despite limited preparation time. With the CHAN tournament set to begin on August 2 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, head coach Tarik Sektioui is shaping a cohesive and confident squad composed entirely of domestic talent born in 2000 or later.
After a cautious first half, Morocco dominated the second half. Bouchaïb Arrasi from Raja Casablanca opened the scoring in the 58th minute, followed by Racing Casablanca’s Younes El Kaabi, who doubled the lead just four minutes later. Although Burkina Faso pulled one goal back through Papus Naser Ouattara late in the game, Morocco held on to secure the victory.
Coach Sektioui’s team, exempt from CHAN qualifiers due to CAF’s seeding protocol, faces a challenging Group A alongside co-hosts Kenya, DR Congo, Zambia, and Angola. However, their recent performances have significantly boosted morale and tactical cohesion within the squad.
The Lion Cubs will take on Burkina Faso once more on Thursday, July 24, also in Kenitra, serving as their final warm-up before heading to East Africa for the tournament. With a mix of individual brilliance and improving team chemistry, Morocco is making it clear that they are not just participating—they are determined to win.
