CHAN 2020: Morocco Defeat Mali To Win Back-To-Back Title

Morocco have won the TOTALCHAN2020 championship, beating Mali 2-0 and making history as the first country to win the tournament back-to-back.

Two second-half headers by Abdelmouna Boutouil and captain Ayoub El Kaabi sealed the historic victory for the champions.

Mali put up a bold challenge, but it was not enough to stop the Atlas Lions to clinch the title exclusively for home-based players.

The Atlas Lions repeated the success on home soil three years ago by a margin that hardly looked possible as the Eagles  stood toe-to-toe with the favourites for over an hour.

Mali also felt their luck deserted them, but ultimately Morocco ran out victorious to revive the memories of the 4-0 victory over Nigeria in the CHAN 2018 final in Casablanca.

Morocco star player, midfielder Soufiane Rahimi swept the top awards, winning the best player and top scorers awards.

The 24-year-old, who plays for Raja Casablanca topped the scoring charts with five goals.

He also received three Man of the Match awards during the three-week tournament.

Legendary Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o presented the top scorer award to Rahimi on Sunday night.

Ammouta, Morocco coach in the post-match interview said, “First of all I will congratulate Mali and coach Diane Nouhoum for their run in the competition. Reaching the final is a feat. For us we came here with a changed team by 65% and a new staff. So it was about writing our own story and winning for ourselves. Today’s final was difficult but we did the essential, won and I believe we merit the victory plus the trophy”

“We came to win our first trophy but faced a very good Morocco side, I believe they were the best team in the tournament. Today’s game was decided on little details, I want to congratulate coach Hussein. We return home and continue to work for the best in future,”