Bossy Morocco secured a comprehensive victory over Tanzania at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San-Pedro, Côte D'Ivoire.
Walid Regragui's side displayed their superiority over Tanzania, netting early on and in the dying embers of the encounter.
Morocco got their opener in the 30th minute, with Romain Saiss striking the ball home with precision.
The Atlas Lions roared magnificently, with Tanzania tutored by Adel Amrouche not being able to step up to the occasion.
The encounter witnessed cards being brandished to several players, with Tanzania's Himid Miami and Novatus Mirochi being handed yellow cards in the 22nd and 31st minutes respectively.
A substitution was also made in the 38th minute, with Simon Msuva coming on for Tarryn Allarakhia.
Morice Abraham came on for Mudathiri Yahya as the second half commenced, with Tanzania making a quick change for the second half.
In the second 45 minutes, two Moroccans got their names into the referee's book, with Romain Saiss and Mohamed Chibi being shown yellows in the 52nd and 61st minute.
The losing side also had a player shown a yellow in the 61st minute, with Charles M'Mombwa receiving a booking from referee Alhadi Allaou Mahamat.
Tanzania made the last change of the second half in the 69th minute, with Faisal Salum entering the fray for Mbwana Samatta.
One minute later, Novatus Mirochi received his marching order for a reckless challenge.
In the 71st minute, manager Walid Regragui brought on Amine Adli for Ez Abde, while Bilal El Khannos also replaced Selim Amallah.
Thirteen minutes before the expiration of the game, Azzedine Ounahi scored the 2nd for Morocco, while the killer goal was fired in by Youssef En-Nesyri in the 80th minute.
Multiple substitutions were made at the same time by the Atlas Lions, as Ayoub El Kaabi came on for Hakim Ziyech, while Sofiane Boufal was introduced for second goalscorer Azzedine Ounahi.
The last and final change made by Morocco saw Amine Harit come on for the scorer of the final goal of the game, En-Nesyri.
Referee Alhadi Mahamat didn't stop in his handling out of cards, with Mohamed Husseini of Tanzania being the last player to be shown a yellow card in the clash.
Morocco have won the Africa Cup of Nations once and they are aiming to double that in this edition of the tournament.
Having made Africa proud at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar by reaching the semi-final, Morocco have been tipped by many as one of the favorites to lift the crown.
Tanzania have been at the AFCON just twice previously; in 1980 and 2019, and they crashed out in the group stage on both occasions.
Morocco face DR Congo on Sunday, January 21, 2024, their second group affair in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Tanzania, they face Zambia on Sunday, January 21, 2024, in their second game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Walid Regragui's side displayed their superiority over Tanzania, netting early on and in the dying embers of the encounter.
Morocco got their opener in the 30th minute, with Romain Saiss striking the ball home with precision.
The Atlas Lions roared magnificently, with Tanzania tutored by Adel Amrouche not being able to step up to the occasion.
The encounter witnessed cards being brandished to several players, with Tanzania's Himid Miami and Novatus Mirochi being handed yellow cards in the 22nd and 31st minutes respectively.
A substitution was also made in the 38th minute, with Simon Msuva coming on for Tarryn Allarakhia.
Morice Abraham came on for Mudathiri Yahya as the second half commenced, with Tanzania making a quick change for the second half.
In the second 45 minutes, two Moroccans got their names into the referee's book, with Romain Saiss and Mohamed Chibi being shown yellows in the 52nd and 61st minute.
The losing side also had a player shown a yellow in the 61st minute, with Charles M'Mombwa receiving a booking from referee Alhadi Allaou Mahamat.
Tanzania made the last change of the second half in the 69th minute, with Faisal Salum entering the fray for Mbwana Samatta.
One minute later, Novatus Mirochi received his marching order for a reckless challenge.
In the 71st minute, manager Walid Regragui brought on Amine Adli for Ez Abde, while Bilal El Khannos also replaced Selim Amallah.
Thirteen minutes before the expiration of the game, Azzedine Ounahi scored the 2nd for Morocco, while the killer goal was fired in by Youssef En-Nesyri in the 80th minute.
Multiple substitutions were made at the same time by the Atlas Lions, as Ayoub El Kaabi came on for Hakim Ziyech, while Sofiane Boufal was introduced for second goalscorer Azzedine Ounahi.
The last and final change made by Morocco saw Amine Harit come on for the scorer of the final goal of the game, En-Nesyri.
Referee Alhadi Mahamat didn't stop in his handling out of cards, with Mohamed Husseini of Tanzania being the last player to be shown a yellow card in the clash.
Morocco have won the Africa Cup of Nations once and they are aiming to double that in this edition of the tournament.
Having made Africa proud at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar by reaching the semi-final, Morocco have been tipped by many as one of the favorites to lift the crown.
Tanzania have been at the AFCON just twice previously; in 1980 and 2019, and they crashed out in the group stage on both occasions.
Morocco face DR Congo on Sunday, January 21, 2024, their second group affair in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Tanzania, they face Zambia on Sunday, January 21, 2024, in their second game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.