Morocco kicked off their quest for a 3rd TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) title in model with a dominant 2-0 win over Angola within the Group A opener at Nyayo Nationwide Stadium in Nairobi.

An excellent first-half strike from Imad Riahi and a late personal objective by Angolan defender Kinito sealed the factors for the Atlas Lions, who prolonged their unbeaten run in CHAN to 14 matches.

With a revamped squad and excessive expectations, the two-time champions (2018, 2020) wasted no time imposing themselves on the match. Head coach Tarik Sektioui’s aspect dictated the tempo from the outset, with captain Mohamed Hrimat marshalling the midfield and defence with authority.

After just a few early possibilities, the breakthrough got here within the twenty ninth minute. Hrimat delivered a exact via ball to Riahi, who unleashed a shocking right-footed strike from exterior the field that flew previous Angolan goalkeeper Neblú and into the again of the online.

Morocco continued to threaten earlier than the break, with Anas Bach and Marouane Louadni additionally testing Neblú in a flurry of assaults. Angola, in the meantime, regarded to reply via Jó Paciência and Aguinaldo Matias however had been denied by Moroccan goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar.

Within the second half, Angola made a number of attacking substitutions in an try to discover a method again, however Morocco remained disciplined and defensively strong.

The North Africans doubled their lead within the 81st minute after substitute Youness El Kaabi’s low shot was parried by Neblú into the trail of Kinito, who turned the ball into his personal web below strain.

Regardless of a late long-range effort from Angola’s Mafuta, the Atlas Lions comfortably noticed out the match to safe all three factors and a clear sheet.

The victory locations Morocco on the prime of Group A on objective distinction, tied with match co-hosts Kenya who defeated DR Congo 1-0 within the different group fixture, due to a first-half stoppage-time objective from midfielder Allan Odhiambo.

Angola, now winless of their final 5 CHAN matches, face an uphill activity within the group.