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CAF
2 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Morocco's unbeaten record faces Kenya's roaring home crowd in CHAN showdown
In a tournament that thrives on drama, history, and national pride, Sunday's clash between Morocco and co-hosts Kenya at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi promises all three in abundance. It's more than just a Group A fixture in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) — it's a collision between a seasoned continental force and a host nation riding a wave of home support. For Morocco, the equation is simple. Victory means one foot in the knockout stages. Head coach Tarik Sektioui is leaving no room for doubt. 'Our main objective is to get through the first round and that means a victory against Kenya,' he declared on the eve of the match. 'The match against the host country will be approached with the same will and determination to seek the three points of victory.' Sektioui knows the challenge well. Kenya's form — unbeaten after two games — makes them dangerous opponents, especially in front of their home crowd. 'Kenya has played well and the match against them will be difficult. We must give our all for 90 minutes on the pitch to achieve a positive result,' he added, underlining that every player in his squad 'has abilities and adds value to the team's performance.' Morocco's Momentum Meets Kenya's Rising Confidence This encounter marks Morocco's first-ever CHAN meeting with Kenya, but the Atlas Lions' record against East African sides offers confidence: unbeaten in five matches, with three wins and two draws. More tellingly, Morocco have a habit of silencing tournament hosts — 4-1 against Rwanda in 2016 and 4-0 over Cameroon in the 2020 semi-finals. Yet, Sektioui remains cautious, mindful of the dangers of overconfidence. His side had a week's rest after their opening 2-0 win over Angola — a blessing and a potential pitfall. 'It's a double-edged sword that you have to manage well to put in a good performance,' he admitted. From the players' perspective, the focus is crystal clear. Winger Oussama Lamlioui knows the atmosphere will be charged. 'The match will be difficult because we will play against the host country which will be more motivated by its public, but we have prepared well to start this match well,' he said. 'Preparations are going well and we are ready to make the difference against Kenya. We will give our all during this match and secure the three points of victory.' Kenya's Defiant Stand Under McCarthy Kenya arrive with confidence of their own. A 1-0 win over DR Congo and a hard-fought goalless draw with Angola have put them within touching distance of the quarter-finals. Austin Odhiambo has been the star man, scoring both of Kenya's goals and becoming the first Kenyan to net in consecutive matches in CAF senior competition. Head coach Benni McCarthy — who famously scored against Morocco in the 1998 AFCON — knows exactly what his players are up against. 'Morocco is a strong and well-organized team. It will be a tough match against one of the best teams not only in our group, but in the league,' he acknowledged. Fatigue could be a factor, with Kenya having played just two days earlier. 'Morocco has had a week to prepare for this match, as we played our last match only two days ago,' McCarthy said. 'I hope the motivation and physical condition will be there to play well in the match against Morocco.' For McCarthy, the challenge is also an opportunity. 'Several positive things have come out of our first two matches, such as resilience and strong character, and I hope that will show against Morocco. Morocco is unpredictable and that is why we must produce quality and be more organized in all areas of the game.' History Beckons Morocco's CHAN record speaks volumes: unbeaten in their last 14 matches (12 wins, 2 draws), with three consecutive clean sheets and just two defeats in 20 games. A second straight win here would mirror their flawless start in 2018 — the year they went on to lift the trophy. Kenya, meanwhile, are chasing their own piece of history. A win would make them only the third debutant in CHAN history to reach the knockout stages, and they would do it by toppling one of the tournament's giants. When the whistle blows on Sunday evening, it won't just be about three points. It will be about a host's courage, a champion's ambition, and the kind of football theatre that makes CHAN unforgettable.
Morocco World
3 days ago
- General
- Morocco World
Four Barbary Lion Cubs Born in Czech Zoo, Morocco Leads Reintroduction Efforts
Marrakech – Four Barbary lion cubs were recently born at Dvůr Králové Safari Park in the Czech Republic. The three females and one male cub were seen playing in their outdoor enclosure on Wednesday under the watchful eyes of their parents, Khalila and Bart, according to the Associated Press (AP). The cubs represent a vital contribution to the small surviving population of this rare lion subspecies. As part of an international endangered species program, they will soon be sent to other participating parks, including the Beersheba zoo in Israel. Dvůr Králové Deputy Director Jaroslav Hyjánek told the AP that preliminary steps have been taken for a possible reintroduction of the Barbary lion into its natural habitat. Initial talks with Moroccan authorities have not rejected the idea of reintroduction in one of the Atlas Mountains national parks. 'It's important to have such a vision for any animal,' Hyjánek said to the AP. 'Without it, the existence of zoos wouldn't make sense.' A conference of experts is planned in Morocco for late 2025 or early 2026 to evaluate the feasibility of such a plan. Any reintroduction would face numerous obstacles since the lion has been absent from the environment for decades. Morocco currently hosts the world's largest collection of Barbary lions, with populations varying between 30 and 40 individuals. The Rabat National Zoological Garden announced last October that a Barbary lion cub born in August 2024 would be presented to visitors. Named Azaghar, the male cub was born on July 26, 2024, to 13-year-old mother Massa and 8-year-old father Layt. The birth was the result of a breeding program that began in 2022. Read also: Culture Minister: History Supports Atlas Lions' Centuries-Old Presence in Morocco 'Right after the birth of the Atlas lion cub, there are a number of measures that we undertake immediately,' explained Saad Azizi, head of the veterinary and zoological service at Rabat National Zoo at the time. These include housing arrangements, veterinary examinations, and eventual reintroduction to the group. The cub was initially dependent on his mother's milk but has since been weaned and is eating meat. Since its opening in 2012, the Rabat Zoo has recorded about 18 lion births. The Barbary lion, a majestic member of the Northern lion subspecies, once roamed freely across northern Africa, including the Atlas Mountains. They were almost completely wiped out due to human activities, including being killed by gladiators in Roman times, overhunting, and habitat loss. The last known photo of a wild Barbary lion was taken in 1925, with the last individual killed in 1942. It's believed the last small populations went extinct in the wild by the mid-1960s. Fewer than 200 Barbary lions are currently estimated to live in captivity worldwide. Through its conservation program, the Rabat Zoo aims to maintain a founding population by promoting controlled reproduction and ensuring balanced management. According to the IUCN, Barbary lions are now classified as part of the Panthera leo leo subspecies, which includes lions from West Africa across to northeast Africa and India. While the Barbary lion subpopulation has not been officially assessed as Extinct in the Wild, lions are extinct across their entire North African range. Tags: Barbary lionCzech republic and morocco
Maroc
4 days ago
- Sport
- Maroc
CHAN : Strong Presence of Moroccan Supporters in Nairobi
Moroccan supporters showed up in large numbers in Nairobi, to support the Atlas Lions during the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is taking place from August 2 to 30. Dressed in red and green and proudly waving the national flag, hundreds of fans, coming not only from across Kenya but also from neighboring countries such as Tanzania and Uganda, converged on Nyayo Stadium, where Morocco began its campaign on Sunday with a crucial 2-0 victory over Angola. The Moroccan fervor resonated unexpectedly with many Kenyan fans, who, impressed by the Atlas Lions' style of play, joined in with the Moroccans' chants and cheers, providing additional support to the national team, which found in Nairobi all the conditions of a home match. The opening goal by Imad Riahi in the 29th minute ignited the stadium, where many Kenyan spectators could also be seen joining the Moroccan crowd in large numbers. Angolan player Quinito scored an own goal in the 81st minute, confirming Morocco's dominance in the match. On this occasion, the Kenyan press hailed the Atlas Lions' performance, highlighting both their technical mastery and team cohesion on the field. In its pages, the Kenyan daily "The Standard" noted that Morocco, one of the CHAN favorites, kicked off its campaign with a strong win over Angola, emphasizing that the Moroccan team took control of the game and displayed disciplined defending. With this opening win, the Atlas Lions have made an ideal start to their CHAN journey, buoyed by a crowd that promises to remain present throughout the tournament. Following this victory, Morocco tops its group (3 pts), ahead of the Kenyan team, which defeated the DR Congo 1-0. (MAP: 06 August 2025)
CAF
30-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
A legacy of local heroes: TotalEnergies CAF CHAN Champions Timeline
Since its inception in 2009, the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) has become a platform to celebrate local talent. Reserved exclusively for players competing in their domestic leagues, the competition showcases raw potential and national pride. As the tournament heads to East Africa for the 2025 edition, CAFOnline takes a look at how each champion claimed their respective titles. 2009 – DR Congo (Hosts: Côte d'Ivoire) The inaugural TotalEnergies CAF CHAN was won by DR Congo, who asserted their dominance early. Despite a rocky group stage that included a 3–0 loss to Ghana, the Leopards regrouped and made it all the way to the final. There, they got their revenge, defeating Ghana 2–0 to lift the first-ever TotalEnergies CHAN in Cote d'Ivoire. 2011 – Tunisia (Hosts: Sudan) In the second edition held in Sudan, Tunisia emerged victorious with a strong and structured team. After advancing past Algeria in the semi-finals on penalties, the Carthage Eagles overwhelmed Angola 3–0 in the final, showing tactical superiority and disciplined football. 2014 – Libya (Hosts: South Africa) Libya's run in 2014 was nothing short of dramatic. Every knockout match ended in a draw and was decided by penalties. They beat Gabon and Zimbabwe in shootouts before edging Ghana 4–3 in the final. Their resilience and composure under pressure marked one of the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN competition's most remarkable campaigns. 2016 – DR Congo (Hosts: Rwanda) DR Congo returned to the top in 2016 with a commanding campaign. The Leopards defeated hosts Rwanda in the quarter-finals, edged Guinea in a tight semi-final, and dismantled Mali 3–0 in the final to become the first two-time champions of the competition. This was also the first time the tournament was hosted in East Africa as it prepares to make its return in August when Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda stage the finals. 2018 – Morocco (Hosts: Morocco) As hosts, Morocco made history by becoming the first nation to lift the title on home soil. They were dominant throughout, scoring freely and playing with flair. Their 4–0 win over Nigeria in the final reflected a squad brimming with talent and confidence. 2020 – Morocco (Hosts: Cameroon) Morocco defended their title in Cameroon, becoming the first back-to-back CHAN winners. They overcame Cameroon 4–0 in the semi-finals and edged Mali 2–0 in the final. The Atlas Lions' mix of technical skill and defensive discipline proved too much for their opponents. The Atlas Lions' title defense saw them join DR Congo as the two nations to have two TotalEnergies CAF CHAN titles to their names. 2022 – Senegal (Hosts: Algeria) In the most recent edition, Senegal clinched their maiden TotalEnergies CAF CHAN title. After a tight tournament marked by narrow wins and defensive solidity, they faced hosts Algeria in the final. After a goalless draw, the Lions of Teranga triumphed 5–4 on penalties, capping a new chapter in West African football. Eyes on 2025 With Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda co-hosting the next edition, East Africa will take centre stage for the first time. With rising domestic talent and historic ambition, the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2025 promises to be a thrilling showcase of Africa's grassroots football potential. For a full list of fixtures and venues, CLICK HERE
Morocco World
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco Edges Benin 1-0 in Friendly Game
Rabat – Morocco played Benin this evening at the Fez Grand Stadium in a highly anticipated friendly game. The match drew a full house in Fez, with large numbers of local fans supporting the national team in a key test of tactical depth and squad rotation. Morocco claimed a hard-fought win against a resilient Benin side that struggled to contain the Atlas Lions' attacking efforts. In the first half, Morocco dominated possession and maintained pressure deep in Benin's half, patiently searching for an opening. Just when it seemed the teams would head into the break level, Ayoub El Kaabi delivered a moment of brilliance in the 47th minute, into stoppage time. Latching onto a well-placed cross, he executed a spectacular scissor kick past the goalkeeper, sending the crowd in Fez into celebration. The goal was a deserved reward for Morocco's control throughout the half and gave the team a boost heading into the second period. Morocco kept pressing for a second goal after the break, but a series of missed chances and solid defending from Benin kept the score unchanged, and the match ended with a deserved 1-0 win for the home side. The international friendly is part of the teams' preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Morocco secured a 2-0 win in Friday's friendly against Tunisia, but the team's overall performance left much to be desired. These two friendly matches present Morocco a valuable window to fine-tune its tactical approach, experiment with squad depth, and strengthen team chemistry ahead of high-stakes continental competitions. With strong fan support and a clear vision for the months ahead, the Atlas Lions remain focused on building consistency and momentum. Tags: Atlas LionsMorocco Benin gameMorocco footballMorocco friendly match
