MATCH FACTS: Powerhouse clash between Senegal and Morocco in semi-finals

Tuesday will provide a first-ever meeting between Morocco and Senegal at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) when they clash in the semi-finals in Kampala.

It brings together the winners of the last three editions – Morocco, champions in 2018 and 2020, against defending champions Senegal.

Morocco face West African opposition for the ninth time at CHAN (P8 W5 D1 L2). They struggled initially, failing to win any of their first three encounters – drawing with Burkina Faso and losing to Nigeria (2014) and Côte d’Ivoire (2016).

Since then, they have won five in a row, including emphatic victories against Mauritania, Nigeria, Guinea, Togo, and Mali. Their record against West African sides is strong: 17 goals scored, 7 conceded, with four clean sheets. This will also be Morocco’s first-ever CHAN game against defending champions.

Senegal, meanwhile, face North African opposition for only the third time. They lost 2-0 to Tunisia in 2011, before beating Algeria on penalties in the 2022 final after a goalless draw. They are yet to score against a North African opponent in open play.

Morocco – Key Facts

·       Four wins so far, including a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Tanzania.

·       Could register five wins in a single edition for the third time (2018, 2020).

·       A semifinal win would also mean four straight victories in one tournament for the second time (after 2020).

·       Reaching the final would make it three appearances (2018, 2020, 2024), more than DR Congo, Ghana, or Mali (two each).

·       Knockout record: P8 W7 L1, with their only loss against Nigeria in 2014.

·       Have never gone to penalties; only one extra-time game (3-1 vs Libya, 2018 semifinal).

·       Oussama Lamloui has four goals, scoring in his last three matches. Another goal would make him:

o   The first Moroccan since Ayoub El Kaabi (2018) to score in four different games.

o   The first Moroccan to score in four straight CHAN matches.

o   Only the third Moroccan with five goals at one edition (El Kaabi 9 in 2018, Rahimi 5 in 2020).

·       Youssef Mehri leads the tournament in assists (3) and chances created (10). Youssef Belammari has provided two assists.

·       Team totals: 9 goals scored, 3 conceded, 2 clean sheets, 29 shots on target (most among semifinalists), 18% conversion rate.

·       Only one loss in their last 18 CHAN games (W15 D2 L1).

Senegal – Key Facts

·       Beat co-hosts Uganda 1-0 in the quarterfinals to reach their third semifinal (2009, 2022).

·       Have scored only 3 goals in 4 matches – all in the second half and by different players.

·       Conceded just 1 goal, with back-to-back clean sheets. Another shutout would give them four in a row for the second time (after 2022).

·       Knockout record: P6 W4 L2 (including penalties). Never lost a semifinal in open play.

·       Drawn both previous semifinals (2009 vs Ghana, 2022 vs Madagascar) – one won, one lost on penalties.

·       Have not conceded in their last four knockout matches. All three open-play wins (2022 QF, 2022 SF, 2024 QF) finished 1-0.

·       A win would make them the fifth team to reach two CHAN finals, and the second defending champions to return (after Morocco 2020).

·       Oumar Ba scored the quarterfinal winner and was fouled five times, the most in the game.

·       Just 9 shots on target overall (lowest of semifinalists) with a 13% conversion rate.

·       Unbeaten in 8 CHAN games (W5 D3) since losing to Uganda in the 2022 group stage.

·       Goalkeeper Marc Diouf has been crucial, making five saves against Uganda – his highest tally so far.