Morocco to face Nigeria in finals of CHAN tournament as Sudan, Libya play in 3rd-Place Play-off

Morocco players celebrating after their win against Libya [Photo:Courtesy]

Hosts Morocco are set to face Nigeria in the finals of the CHAN tournament set for February 4.

Morocco advanced to finals after 3-1 win in their match against Libya in the semi-finals. Morocco needed extra time to defeat Libya on Wednesday evening

Morocco dominated the first half making three attempts in Libya’s box but could not break through The Mediterranean Knights’ goal.

Morocco made some changes they believed were significant in the second half after the stalemate in the first half with Bencharki substituted in favor of Zakaria Hadraf. Morocco continued with their offensive play moving the ball at pace in Libya’s final third.

The stalemate was broken in the 73’ minute when Ayoub El Kaabi who is also CHAN top scorer, put the hosts in front with a super header finish.

Ayoub El Kaabi of Morocco [Photo:Courtesy]

Thirteen minutes later, Libya’s Abdulrahm Khalleefah scored into an empty net after an error from the Morocco’s keeper Anas Zniti forcing extra time.

El Kaabi extended his scoring record with a simple tap in after six minutes of the first 15 minutes of the extra time giving Morocco a 2-1 lead before Walid El Karti's penalty that sent Morocco through to the finals.

In other fixtures, Nigeria won 1-0 against Sudan through Gabriel Okechukwu’s 16th minute goal. However, Nigeria had a harder task after Ifeanyi Ifeanyi was sent off two minutes before the hour mark, but Nigeria held on to book a place in the final.

Gabriel Okechukwu celebrates after scoring for Nigeria [Photo:Courtesy]

Morocco will face up with Nigeria in Casablanca in the finals on Sunday 4, 2018 at 2 p.m. East African Time.

The hosts are packed with pace and power and will be hoping to entertain their fans when they face the Super Eagles in the finals. Nigeria defensive resolve against Morocco will make the match an interesting clash.

The third-place play-off is scheduled for Marrakech on February 3, 2018 between Libya and Sudan.