CHAN 2024: Morocco and Senegal battle to penalty Shootout in Thrilling Semi-Final
The CHAN 2024 semi-final clash between Morocco and Senegal at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moment. The encounter, featuring two of Africa’s strongest football nations, was marked by intensity, resilience, and drama.
Senegal struck first after 16 minutes when Joseph Layousse Samb converted a well-placed pass from Libasse Guèye, giving the Teranga Lions the advantage. However, Morocco, the reigning champions, responded swiftly. Just seven minutes later, Sabir Bougrine equalized, putting pressure back on the West African side.
The Atlas Lions dominated the closing stages of the first half, but Senegal’s defense held firm. The second half saw both teams pressing high, with Morocco looking the more dangerous. A controversial moment arrived in the 53rd minute when Marouane Louadni was shown a red card, only for the referee to overturn the decision after a VAR review.
Despite Morocco’s relentless push, Senegal refused to back down. Neither side managed to break the deadlock in extra time, keeping the score locked at 1-1. The fate of this high-stakes semi-final would ultimately be decided by the lottery of penalty kicks.
