SAN FRANCISCO, February 05, (THEWILL) –
Morocco on Sunday made history by lifting the 2018 Africa-Nations Championship as the host country defeated Super Eagles 4-0 at Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca in Morocco in the final.
Two goals from Hadraf and one each from El Karti and tournament top scorer Ayoub El Kaabi gave the hosts their first title of the competition exclusively for players plying their trade in their country’s domestic leagues.
The Atlas Lions dominated the match from the first minute, pressurising the Eagles’ defence with several marauding runs down the flanks which paid off in the 43rd minute when Morocco got their first goal and it remained a one-sided match till the final whistle.
Sadly, Eagles got depleted as Moses Eleji was issued a second yellow card and was sent off after he committed a fowl with a hard tackle against a Moroccan player.
Morocco doubled their lead in the 61st minute when El Karti headed home after Ajiboye had punched a cross out and Morocco got their third two minutes later when Hadraf struck home after he was left unmarked in the goal area.
El Kaabi completed the rout in the 73rd minute after another defensive error by the Eagles.
At final whistle the Moroccans celebrated their first ever CHAN championship and became the first host nation to win the tournament.
Meanwhile, Sudan edged out Libya 4-2 via penalties to claim bronze in the third-place play-off match at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday.
Although the clash finished at 1-1 in regular time, penalties from Mohamed Tahir, Mohamed Babikir, Mahmoud Ahmed and Maaz Gesalla ensured Sudan were victorious.
On the other hand, Libya converted from the spot through Moftah Taktak, Abdelsalam Alaqoub while Almehdi Elhouni and Salem Ablo saw their kicks saved.
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