CHAN: Two time winners Morocco settle in Nairobi ahead of kickoff
“We are excited to be here and ready for CHAN. I already love Nairobi; the weather is great, and we are looking forward to a successful tournament,” said defender Marouane Louadni, who plays his club football for AS FAR
Two-time champions Morocco became the first team to arrive for the 2024 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Atlas Lions landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi at 4:00 am local time on Monday morning, receiving a vibrant East African welcome complete with traditional dancers and music.
The North African giants, aiming to become the first country to win the CHAN title three times, are wasting no time in getting acclimatized as they begin their final preparations for the tournament opener.
“We are excited to be here and ready for CHAN. I already love Nairobi; the weather is great, and we are looking forward to a successful tournament,” said defender Marouane Louadni, who plays his club football for AS FAR.
Morocco’s early arrival signals intent as the two-time winners look to dominate Group A, which includes hosts Kenya, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia. They begin their campaign on Sunday against Angola at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Winners in 2018 on home soil and again in 2021 in Cameroon, Morocco are one of only two nations to have lifted the CHAN trophy twice — the other being DR Congo, whom they will face in the group stage.
With less than a week to go before the tournament kicks off, excitement is surging in Nairobi. CAF and the LOC have already rolled out ticketing protocols, and fans across the capital are gearing up to witness one of the biggest sporting events ever staged in Kenya.
CHAN 2024, which runs from 2–30 August, is exclusively reserved for players who compete in their respective national leagues, offering a platform for homegrown talent to shine on the continental stage.
