The Moroccan national team of local players lost to Kenya, with a score of 1-0. The match took place today, Sunday, at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, as part of the third round of Group A of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024).
### First Half
Immediately following the kickoff, the Moroccan players, eager to secure three points, sought to dominate the match by employing short passes to advance into the Kenyan penalty area while maintaining ball possession.
Their efforts led to a free kick near the Kenyan penalty area in the tenth minute, presenting a genuine opportunity to open the scoring.
The “Atlas Lions” managed to control the match by repeatedly attacking, especially from the flanks, which unsettled the opponent’s defense on several occasions.
In the twenty-third minute, national coach Tarik Sektioui was forced to make an early substitution, bringing on Youssef El Kaabi for Ayoub Maloua, who left the field due to injury.
Contrary to the flow of the game, the Kenyan team opened the scoring in the 42nd minute through Ryan Ougham, who took advantage of confusion in front of Moroccan goalkeeper Mehdi Lahrar to slot the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
Amidst the national team’s attempts to equalize, Kenyan midfielder Crispin Erambo committed a violent foul on Anas Mehrawi, prompting referee Vincent Kapuvy to show him a red card in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
### Second Half
At the start of the second half, the Moroccan players applied significant pressure in an effort to level the score, particularly through attempts by Youssef Mehri in the 46th and 48th minutes. Simultaneously, the Kenyan team intensified their attacks, seeking to extend their lead.
In an effort to change the outcome and regain control of the match, Tarik Sektioui made tactical substitutions in the 61st minute, introducing Salah Eddine Rahouli for Anas Bach and Osama Lamliwi for Bouchraib El Arassi.
These substitutions provided a renewed energy to the Moroccan attack, which appeared more dynamic and effective, as evidenced by attempts from Saber Boughrin (65th minute) and Mohamed Mofid (66th minute).
The national team continued to press intensely on the Kenyan defense with repeated incursions into the penalty area. However, these attempts did not alter the final scoreline.
It is noteworthy that the Moroccan team, which was exempt from playing in the second round, currently holds three points. Their next match will be against Zambia this coming Thursday at the same stadium.
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