On home soil, Morocco successfully defended the title they won four years back with a well worked 5-0 victory over Egypt in Laayoune on Friday. While they struggled to beat the Egyptians 3-2 during the last edition in 2016 in South Africa, this time, the Atlas Lions were flawless and more destructive.

A brace from Soufiane El Mesrar and one each by Abdelatif Fati, Anas El Ayyane and Saad Knia ensured the Atlas Lions retained their title to be crowned African kings for a second time, thus stopping Egypt’s hunt for a historical fourth piece of silverware.

Powered on by the home crowd who had filled the arena to the brim, the Moroccans took maximum use of the home ground advantage to settle the game early, taking a 3-0 halftime lead.

El Mesrar broke the deadlock with just three minutes chalked down on the clock with a swinging shot after being teed u by Bakkali from a freekick.

The home side was in total control with Bakkali and Saad Knia having shots hit the upright as they raided the Egyptian half. Abdelatif Fati came closest with eight minutes left to half time when he wheeled away off a counter, but his little dink over the keeper was wide.