As the holders of the cup, Morocco were eager to maintain their title after an impressive run to the final with Mali gunning for the CHAN crown too.

The contest were pretty evenly balanced the duration of the first half, with little in the way of attacking forays from either of the two sides.

It continued well into the closing stages of the first spell despite a few half-hearted attempts from the Atlas Lions’ front contingent, as the first half finished goalless.

Mali emerged for the second half renewed and should’ve taken the lead from a near post attempt by Moussa Kone, but it went off target.

Following a tentative quarter, the Atlas Lions bagged the opener towards the closing quarter as Soufiane Bouftini headed home a corner-kick.

The Atlas Lions put the Eagles out of sight minutes before full-time when a ball around the area found Ayoub El Kaabi to slot home.

Mali ended the match with ten players deep in stoppage time as full-back Issaka Samake got his marching orders for a second bookable offence, leaving Morocco to the crown in the end.