Football

Morocco Clinches Third CHAN Title After Thrilling Victory Over Madagascar

Published

54 minutes ago

August 30, 2025

Morocco’s locally-based national team has been crowned champions of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a dramatic 3–2 win over Madagascar in the final at Kasarani Stadium. The Atlas Lions, led by coach Tarik Sektioui, overcame an early setback and showcased their resilience to lift the trophy for a record third time.

The match began with Morocco on the front foot, nearly scoring in the second minute when tournament top scorer Oussama Lamlioui broke through but missed a golden opportunity. Madagascar responded swiftly, stunning the crowd in the seventh minute with a brilliant volley from Calvin Felicite that flew past goalkeeper Elmehdi Al Harrar.

Undeterred, Morocco intensified their attack, dominating possession and pressing high. Their efforts paid off in the 27th minute when Youssef Mehri headed in a well-placed cross from Khalid Baba off a quick free-kick. Just before halftime, Lamlioui made amends for his earlier miss, converting a precise delivery from Mohamed Boulcsout to give Morocco a 2–1 lead.

The second half saw Morocco continue to control the tempo, but Madagascar found a lifeline in the 68th minute. Felicite flicked on a long cross, setting up Toky Rakotondraibe for a composed finish to level the score. With the game hanging in the balance, Lamlioui produced a moment of magic in the 80th minute—spotting the goalkeeper off his line and launching a long-range strike from outside the box to seal the win.

Madagascar pushed hard in the closing stages, but Morocco held firm to secure the title in front of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The victory capped off a strong tournament for the Atlas Lions, who entered as favorites despite an early group-stage loss to Kenya. They bounced back with wins over Angola, Zambia, DR Congo, and a dramatic penalty shootout triumph against Senegal in the semifinals.

Morocco’s CHAN 2024 campaign included five wins, one loss, and one shootout victory. Their triumph earns them $3.5 million in prize money, while Madagascar, the runners-up, will receive $1.2 million. The third and fourth-placed teams will be awarded $700,000 and $600,000 respectively.

With this win, Morocco adds another chapter to their CHAN legacy, having previously lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2020.

Related Topics:African Nations Championship CHAN Madagascar

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Mukamba’s Magic Seals Dynamos Thriller as PSL Drama Unfolds

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Mbeumo Shines as Fernandes Delivers Late Drama in United’s First Win of the Season

Published

23 minutes ago

August 30, 2025

Adelaide Kuudzerema

Manchester United finally broke their winless streak in the Premier League with a thrilling 3–2 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford, capping off a rollercoaster week that began with a shock Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town. The Reds, led by Ruben Amorim, showed grit, flair, and resilience in a match that had everything—goals, controversy, and a last-gasp winner.

The afternoon began with intensity as United pressed high and created early chances. Mason Mount’s corner nearly resulted in an own goal, and Matheus Cunha tested Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka with a low drive. Bryan Mbeumo, fresh off his first goal for the club at Grimsby, looked lively again, forcing a diving save and narrowly missing another effort.

United’s breakthrough came in the 27th minute in bizarre fashion. Casemiro’s header crashed off the bar and ricocheted off Burnley captain Josh Cullen into the net. But the joy was tempered when Cunha limped off injured, replaced by Joshua Zirkzee.

Burnley clawed back in the second half, equalising through Lyle Foster in the 56th minute. Yet United responded instantly. Diogo Dalot’s determined run down the left set up Mbeumo for a simple tap-in—his first goal at Old Trafford.

“Yeah, I feel very good,” Mbeumo told MUTV. “I think today was really important that we could win, and yeah, obviously I’m really happy to score my first goal here. We kept going in the game and, at the end, we got the reward.”

Burnley refused to lie down. Jaidon Anthony bundled home a rebound to level the score again, and the game looked destined for a draw until late drama unfolded. In stoppage time, Anthony tugged Amad’s shirt inside the box. After a VAR review, referee Sam Barrott pointed to the spot. Bruno Fernandes, who had missed a penalty the previous weekend, stepped up and coolly slotted home his 99th goal for the club.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Mbeumo reflected on the team’s effort:

“I’m very happy, and we win as well – as a striker, it is important to be confident with goals. We are all a team, it is not only one person. We all worked very hard for the win today.”

Manager Ruben Amorim was full of praise for the Cameroon international:

“It was impressive the way he stretched the team. The quality that he has in the first touch, and you feel that we are a different team because when we win the ball, we have one guy stretching the team.”

With a two-week international break ahead, the timing of the win couldn’t be better. United now prepare for back-to-back clashes against Manchester City and Chelsea, and Mbeumo knows the importance of this momentum.

“It’s really important,” he added. “It gives us a lot of confidence and a bit of a breather before the international break.”

After a week of highs and lows, United finally have lift-off. And with Mbeumo finding his stride and Fernandes leading from the front, the Reds may just be ready to turn their season around.

Football

Mukamba’s Magic Seals Dynamos Thriller as PSL Drama Unfolds

Published

40 minutes ago

August 30, 2025

Adelaide Kuudzerema

Rufaro Stadium was the stage for a pulsating five-goal spectacle on Saturday, as Dynamos continued their resurgence in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with a nail-biting 3–2 win over high-flying Scottland FC.

The hosts struck first blood in the 37th minute when Tymon Machope found the net, silencing the Harare faithful. But the Glamour Boys came out swinging after the break—Shadreck Nyahwa restored parity just four minutes into the second half, and Vusi Ngwenya gave Dynamos the lead midway through the half with a composed finish.

Scottland weren’t done yet. Machope returned to haunt his vistors with a second goal in the 75th minute, leveling the score and setting up a tense finale. Enter Denver Mukamba. The former Scottland midfielder, now donning Dynamos blue, delivered a moment of brilliance in the 80th minute—a thunderous volley that sealed the win and marked his first goal since joining mid-season.

Despite the victory, Dynamos remain 17th on the table with 28 points, still fighting to escape the relegation zone. Scottland, meanwhile, stay second, trailing leaders Simba Bhora by two points after Simba were held to a goalless draw by Greenfuel. The defending champions also saw head coach Joel Luphahla sent off in the 75th minute, adding to their frustrations.

The PSL title race remains tight, but Saturday belonged to Dynamos—who, despite their league position, showed they still have fight, flair, and a touch of Mukamba magic.

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