Morocco claimed a historic third African Nations Championship crown on Saturday, thanks to Oussama Lamlioui’s late heroics that secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Madagascar in Nairobi.
First-time finalists Madagascar stunned the crowd early, with Felicite Manohatsoa curling in a long-range strike to take the lead in the ninth minute.
However, Morocco responded through Youssef Mehri, who broke free from the Malagasy defence to equalize in the 27th minute, delighting the majority of the packed stadium in Kenya’s capital.
Berkane forward Lamlioui then gave the Atlas Lions the lead just before halftime. Madagascar fought back, with substitute Toky Rakotondraibe, hero of their semi-final extra-time win over Sudan, leveling the score midway through the second half.
Lamlioui, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, struck again with ten minutes left to seal Morocco’s victory and match their title successes from the 2018 and 2020 editions.
The triumph caps off a remarkable year for Moroccan football, following youth teams winning the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations and reaching the final of the Under-20 tournament.
The nation now turns its attention to hosting the senior AFCON for the first time since 1988, with the tournament set to kick off on December 21.