Host Morocco got the 20th edition of TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON underway in style with a commanding 5-0 victory over Uganda in a Group A match on Sunday night at the El Bachir stadium in Mohammedia.
Buoyed by home support, Morocco went ahead after just three minutes through Ilies Belmokhtar, before Driss Aït Chiekh doubled the lead in the 8th minute.
Morocco kept pushing hard and were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute, following a VAR review by Nigerien referee Sadou Ali Brahamou.
The spot-kick was converted by Ziyad Baha Abedlahadj, before Belmokhtar increased his tally giving Morocco a 4-0 lead before half-time, enjoying a commanding 67% possession and converting four of their six first-half chances.
Uganda tried to regroup after the break, with Simon Wanyama nearly pulled one back but was denied by an excellent save from Moroccan goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch.
The Mohammed VI Academy keeper also frustrated efforts from Elvis Torach and Richard Okello, keeping his clean sheet intact with a string of fine saves.
As Uganda pushed forward in search of a consolation, they left gaps at the back.
Morocco capitalised again in the 71st minute when Ziyad Baha pounced on a defensive error by Ashraf Lukyamuzi to make it five.
The result puts Morocco top of Group A, providing an early boost to their hopes of lifting the continental title.
Zambia and Tanzania will face off in a Group A match today at 2pm East African Time, before Burkina Faso begins Group B fixtures against neighbours Cameroon at 5pm, followed by Egypt versus South Africa at 10pm in another Group B match to round up day two.
The final of the tournament will be played on the 19th of next month, with the top 10 teams qualifying for the FIFA U17 World Cup set for September this year in Qatar .
Dismas Otuke
