CHAN Story : 2018, Morocco Snatches First Title

The 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) was the fifth edition of the tournament. The competition was hosted by Morocco from January 13 to February 4, 2018. The best 16 national teams on the continent took part in the competition that is organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). 
The final of the competition took place at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca in the heart of Morocco, in the western part of Maarif district. It was contested by the host nation and Nigeria. Morocco beat Nigeria 4-0 to win the title for the first time and became the first host nation to lift the trophy. The match was refereed by Gambia’s Bakary Gassama and stadium attendance was 75, 000.  It was Morocco’s third appearance in the tournament, and their first final. Their previous best performance in the competition was reaching the quarterfinals in the 2014 CHAN. Nigeria also appeared in their third tournament, and their first final. Their previous best performance was reaching the semifinals of the 2014 CHAN. Morocco and Nigeria had met once in the competition before, the time when Nigeria knocked Morocco out of the 2014 CHAN after defeating them 4-3 in extra time in the quarterfinals. 
The Intermediate Lions of Cameroon were booted out of the competition at the group stage. It was their third appearance in the comp...