Morocco ended Tanzania’s fairytale run at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a narrow 1-0 victory in Dar es Salaam on Friday, sealing their place in the semi-finals for the third time in tournament history.

In front of a packed Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, the Atlas Lions drew on their experience to silence the roaring home crowd.

Co-hosts Tanzania can take heart from a campaign that broke barriers.

Having topped Group B and reached the quarter-finals for the first time, Hamad Suleiman’s side showed organisation, spirit, and resilience.

Striker Oussama Lamlaoui provided the decisive strike midway through the second half, pouncing from close range after Youssef Belammari’s clever assist.

Until Lamlaoui’s 65th-minute breakthrough, the contest had been an evenly matched tactical battle.

Tanzania, buoyed by their unbeaten group campaign, pressed high and created openings through Clement Mzize and Feisal Salum, but found Morocco goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar in commanding form.

Morocco will now prepare for a semi-final showdown, aiming to emulate their title-winning runs of 2018 and 2020.

For Tanzania, the journey ends, but their campaign has set a benchmark for future generations and lifted belief in East African football.