2021 CHAN: Defending champions Morocco thrash hosts Cameroon, to face Mali in final
Title holders Morocco will play Mali in the final of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde on Sunday, after thrashing hosts Cameroon 4-0 in the second semi-final in Limbe on Wednesday.
Morocco and Mali triumphed in the two semi-final matches played on Wednesday in the tournament, exclusively designed for home-based players.
The Moroccans went through to the finals when they hammered hosts Cameroon 4-0 at the Limbe Stadium.
Soufiane Rahimi was the two-goal hero for the title holders who produced one of their best displays of the tournament to beat Cameroon.
First-half goals by Soufiane Bouftini and Rahimi put the North Africans in firm control of the match as they silenced the vociferous home fans.
Rahimi scored his second on the night and his tournament’s fifth before Mohammed Ali Bemammer wrapped up the emphatic victory for the title holders.
The result ensured that Morocco will be chasing their second title in the competition, while Mali will be hunting for their first CHAN title, having reached the final of the 2016 edition.
Mali sealed their place in the final after winning 5-4 in a penalty shootout to eliminate their neighbours Guinea.
The match between the arch rivals ended goalless after extra time and it was substitute Mamadou Coulibaly who decided the first semi-final tie at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Wednesday with the final kick in the shootout.
Guinea will play Cameroon in the third-place playoff at the Reunification Stadium in Douala on Saturday.