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CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: Morocco team profile
Published: Tuesday, 29 July 2025 Morocco enters the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 looking to make history by becoming the first nation to win the tournament three times, having already claimed back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2020. Factfile Nickname: Atlas Lions Previous Appearances: 4 (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020) Best Finish: Champions (2018, 2020) CHAN Titles: 2 FIFA Ranking: 14 Head Coach: Tarik Sektioui Know Your Coach: Tarik Sektioui Former international Tarik Sektioui brings considerable experience to his role as head coach of the Atlas Lions. His playing career saw him don the colors of several European clubs, including FC Porto and AJ Auxerre, before transitioning into coaching where he has enjoyed success with various Moroccan clubs including FUS Rabat, RS Berkane, and AS FAR. His appointment marks a new chapter as Morocco seeks unprecedented success in the competition. Sektioui, who has previously managed Morocco's U19 and Olympic teams, faces the considerable challenge of maintaining the nation's dominance in the competition. His extensive experience with local football, having managed several top-tier Moroccan clubs and won both domestic and continental titles, positions him well for this task. How They Qualified The Atlas Lions qualified automatically for CHAN 2024 as the only representative so far from the North African Football Union zone. They enter the tournament sharing the record for most titles (2) with DR Congo, making their fifth appearance in the competition since their debut in South Africa 2014. Morocco at CHAN Morocco's journey in CHAN has been particularly impressive in recent years. After their first appearance in 2014, they participated in three consecutive tournaments (2016, 2018, and 2020), culminating in back-to-back victories in their last two appearances. Their absence from the 2022 edition has only heightened their determination to reclaim the trophy. Fun Fact: Morocco became the first host nation to win the CHAN tournament in 2018 and the first country to win back-to-back titles (2018, 2020) What to Expect The Atlas Lions will be eager to demonstrate why they are considered among the favorites for the title, as they aim to become the first nation to win three CHAN tournaments and establish themselves as the most successful team in the competition's history.
Morocco World
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco Jet Off to Kenya for CHAN 2024
The Moroccan national team for locally-based players will fly out to Nairobi next Sunday, July 27, aboard a special flight, ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). Before departure, the Atlas Lions will play one final warm-up match behind closed doors against Burkina Faso this Thursday at 6pm, at the municipal stadium of Kenitra. Head coach Tarik Sektioui revealed his final squad list on July 23. Morocco have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Kenya, Angola, Zambia, and DR Congo. The Moroccans will kick off their campaign on Sunday, August 3, against Angola at Nyayo Stadium. They'll then take on Kenya at the Moi International Sports Centre on August 10, before facing Zambia on August 14 at the same venue. Their final group stage clash will be on Sunday, August 17, against DR Congo – again at Nyayo Stadium. Sektioui will be hoping to guide the Atlas Cubs through a tricky group and emulate the triumphs of previous CHAN editions. Tags: Africa Cup of NationsCHANTarik Sektioui
CAF
24-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Morocco return to CHAN with ambition as Sektioui names star-studded squad
Morocco's locally-based national team is back in the hunt for African glory — and they've made their intentions clear as revealing their squad for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN). After missing the 2022 edition the Atlas Lions return to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) aiming to reclaim the crown they last won in 2020. Coach Tarik Sektioui, who named his final 28-man squad on Wednesday at the Mohammed VI Complex in Maâmoura, said the side is primed and determined to challenge for a third continental title — a feat that would make Morocco the most successful team in CHAN history. 'We've selected players with the right experience and mentality for a competition like CHAN,' Sektioui told reporters. 'Many of them play regularly in top-tier continental club competitions, and we believe their cohesion and tactical discipline will serve us well.' The team draws heavily from local powerhouses like RS Berkane, Raja Casablanca, Wydad Casablanca, and AS FAR, giving Morocco a deep pool of seasoned professionals. Notably, six players from newly crowned champions Berkane make the list, including standouts like Abdelhak Assal, Ayoub Khairi, and Reda Hajji. اللائحة المستدعاة لمنتخبنا الوطني للمشاركة في كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين "شان" 2024 🚨Your squad list is ready for the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 | #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 — Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) July 23, 2025 Adding a touch of international pedigree, two senior national team players have also been included — Youssef Belammari (Raja Casablanca), who has earned six caps and was recently involved in Morocco's A-team matches, and goalkeeper Rachid Ghanimi (FUS Rabat), who won Olympic bronze and the U-23 AFCON title in 2023. 'We focused our selection on technical ability and team chemistry,' said Sektioui. 'Despite some player departures to Europe, we are confident this squad has what it takes to represent Morocco with pride.' The 2024 TotalEnergies CHAN tournament — reserved exclusively for players active in their national leagues — takes place from 2 to 30 August across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Morocco has been placed in Group A, where they will battle hosts Kenya, Angola, Zambia, and DR Congo. Their campaign begins with a showdown against Angola, followed by games against Kenya, Zambia, and DR Congo — all to be staged in what is expected to be a fiercely competitive group. Morocco famously won back-to-back CHAN titles in 2018 and 2020, becoming the first nation to achieve that feat. With the likes of El Kaabi Youness, Saifeddine Bouhra, and Youssef Mehri in their attacking ranks, the Atlas Lions are well-positioned for a deep run once again. Having missed the last edition, this year's tournament represents both a mission of redemption and reaffirmation for Moroccan football — now a powerhouse across all levels of African competition. Morocco Squad – TotalEnergies CHAN 2024 Goalkeepers: Al Harrar Elmehdi Rachid Ghanimi (FUS Rabat) Aqzdaou Omar (Wydad Casablanca) Defenders: Moufid Mohamed (Wydad Casablanca) Boulacsout Mohamed Mchakhchekh Mehdi Louadni Marouane Arrassi Bouchaib Assal Abdelhak (RS Berkane) Belammari Youssef (Raja Casablanca) Zahouani Fouad Midfielders: Khairi Ayoub (RS Berkane) Hrimat Mohamed Rabie Souane Amine Essadak Houssam Hajji Reda (RS Berkane) Bach Anas Aït Ouarkhane Khalid Bougrine Sabir Forwards: Mehri Youssef (RS Berkane) El Mahraoui Anass Bouhra Saïf-Eddine (Wydad Casablanca) Baba Khalid Riahi Imad (RS Berkane) Salaheddine Errahouli Mouloua Ayoub El Kaabi Youness Lamlioui Oussama (RS Berkane)
Morocco World
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco Drawn with Saudi Arabia in Tough Arab Cup Group
Morocco have been drawn in Group B of the 2025 Arab Cup alongside Saudi Arabia, with the group to be completed with the winners of Oman v Somalia and Comoros v Yemen. The tournament, set to take place in Qatar from 1 to 18 December, will feature 16 teams from across the Arab world. Four spots are still to be decided via qualifying matches. 'We've landed in the toughest group' Reacting to the draw, Morocco's local national team coach Tarik Sektioui acknowledged the challenge ahead. 'We've landed in the toughest group with Saudi Arabia, who have a very strong team,' he said. 'We can't overlook the other teams from the preliminary round either – Oman, Somalia, Yemen, and Comoros are all sides we must take seriously.' Sektioui added that while Morocco and Saudi Arabia are widely tipped to progress, the team will approach every match with caution and ambition. 'Everyone expects Morocco and Saudi Arabia to advance from the group, and that's understandable given our histories and quality,' he said. 'But we must respect all opponents. We have a responsibility to honour Moroccan football, which has become a global reference point. Every tournament we enter, we aim to win.' Here is the full 2025 Arab Cup draw: Group A: Qatar, Tunisia, Syria/South Sudan, Palestine/Libya Group B: Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman/Somalia, Comoros/Yemen Group C: Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Kuwait/Mauritania Group D: Algeria, Iraq, Bahrain/Djibouti, Lebanon/Sudan Tags: Arab CupMoroccoSaudi Arabia
