At Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, Morocco showed why pedigree matters in tournament football. In a clash of two-time champions, the Atlas Lions outlasted DR Congo 3-1 to book their place in the TotalEnergies CHAN PAMOJA 2024 quarter-finals, ruthlessly ending the Leopards’ campaign.
Both sides entered the final Group A fixture locked on six points and level in ambition. DR Congo, needing nothing less than victory, charged forward with intent. Morocco, knowing a draw was enough, relied on composure and experience and it paid off.
An early strike from Oussama Lamlaoui settled Atlas Lion nerves, only for Jephté Kitambala’s close-range equaliser to spark belief among the Leopards just before half-time. For 45 minutes, the match hung in the balance.
But the second half revealed Morocco’s true quality. When Khalid Baba was tripped in the box, Mohamed Hrimat calmly dispatched the resulting penalty after a lengthy VAR review. Suddenly, Congo were chasing shadows. With space opening up, Lamlaoui struck again on 80 minutes, capping a ruthless counter and effectively killing the contest.
Even a disallowed fourth goal could not dent Morocco’s momentum. For DR Congo, the defeat meant an early end to their hunt for a third CHAN crown, despite flashes of fight and attacking promise.
The wider picture told its own story. Hosts Kenya beat Zambia 1-0 at Kasarani to secure top spot in the group with 10 points, while Morocco’s nine were enough for second place. DR Congo, despite amassing six points, were left stranded—another reminder of the unforgiving nature of tournament football.
As the dust settled, Morocco’s blend of patience, composure, and firepower stood out. Lamlaoui’s finishing and Hrimat’s cool head from the spot underline a team comfortable under pressure—an asset that will serve them well in the knockout rounds.
Kenya and Morocco now march into the quarter-finals with contrasting strengths: the Harambee Stars riding unbeaten momentum and home advantage, while the Atlas Lions lean on experience and tournament craft. For DR Congo, however, the night was a sobering reminder that in high-stakes football, moments decide destinies.
