Morocco strolled past Nigeria 4-0 to lift the 2018 African Nations Championship trophy on Sunday night.
The north Africans inspired by Zakaria Hadraf’s brace and strikes from Walid El Karti and Ayoub El Kaabi were torn apart by the Super Eages who ended the game with 10-men after Moses Eneji was given the marching order.
Hadraf passed up a glorious opportunity midway through the first half and El also had a first-half effort correctly ruled out for offside.
A dominant start from Morocco to Sunday's final kept Nigeria pegged firmly back in their half and Salisu Yusuf’s side looked to be facing a supremely tough task when El Kaabi fired in a bicycle kick that kissed the wood work.
Nigeria’s chances were scarce at best, though Gabriel Okechuwku almost fired past goalkeeper Anas Zniti in the 26th minute but for the timely clearance of Salaheddine Saidi.
Zniti’s opposite number, Dele Ajiboye, denied Walid El Karti Okechuku fluffed his lines at the other end before the north African got the opener few seconds from the halftime break.
The newly crowned champions took the initiative as captain Badr Benoun raced through two opposition, passed to Abdeljalil Jbira whose cross was driven home by Hadraf.
In the second half, things went bad for the Super Eagles as debutant Eneji was given the marching order for a second caution after a reckless tackle on Mohammed Nahiri.
Coach Jamal Sellami made the numerical disadvantage count and pumped in three more goal to send the fans into wild jubilation.
El Karti headed home the second in the 61st minute after Ajiboye had parried Ismael Haddad strike to his direction after El Kaabi’s bicycle cycle was denied by the woodwork again.
Hadraf completed his brace in the 64th minute with Kaabi finally registering his name among the goal scorers nine minutes later as Morocco found a fitting way to win the showpiece on home soil.
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