The Atlas Lions suffered a 1–0 defeat to Kenya in the third round of Group A at the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024), held on Sunday at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. Eager to secure all three points, the Moroccan side sought to take control from the outset, stringing together short passes to move closer to the Kenyan penalty area while maintaining strong ball possession. Their early efforts led to a free kick just outside the Kenyan box, resulting in a clear chance to break the deadlock in the 10th minute. National coach Tarik Sektioui was forced into an early substitution when Ayoub Mouloua left the pitch injured and was replaced by Youness El Kaabi in the 23rd minute. The Kenyan players responded with a few attempts that posed little threat to goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar. Meanwhile, the Moroccans kept up the pressure, notably through Anas El Mahraoui in the 37th minute. Against the run of play, Kenya opened the scoring in the 42nd minute through Ryan Ogam, who capitalized on a scramble in front of Al Harrar's goal to slot a loose ball into the left side of the net. The Kenyan side was reduced to ten men after a foul on El Mahraoui prompted referee Vincent Kabore to show Chrispine Erambo a straight red card in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time (45+4'). After the break, Morocco pushed forward in search of an equalizer, with Youssef Mehri coming close in the 46th and 48th minutes. The Kenyans, however, became increasingly dangerous on the counter, threatening to double their lead. Seeking to turn the game around, Sektioui brought on Salaheddine Errahouli for Anas Bach and Oussama Lamlioui for Bouchaib Arrassi in the 61st minute. The changes injected more dynamism into the attack, with Sabir Bougrine (65') and Mohamed Moufid (66') both creating promising opportunities. Despite maintaining constant pressure on Kenya's defense and making repeated incursions into the penalty area, the Atlas Lions were unable to alter the scoreline. With one win from their two games, having sat out the second round, Morocco remains on three points and will face Zambia on Thursday at the same venue.
