Players of Morocco celebrate after the final match against Nigeria at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Casablanca, Morocco, Feb. 4, 2018. Morocco won 4-0 to claimed the title. (Xinhua/S.Aissa)
RABAT, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Hosts Morocco claimed the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Sunday after hammering Nigeria 4-0 in the final.
Despite poor weather, the match was played in front of a packed crowd in the Mohammed V Stadium in Morocco's biggest city of Casablanca.
In the best game ever of the local Atlas Lions in the CHAN, the Moroccans largely dominated, but they were unable to convert their dominance until the stroke of half time through Raja Casablanca star Zakaria Hadraf.
In the second half, Morocco's first CHAN title edged even closer after Nigeria's Eneji Moses left the pitch after a second yellow card at the 47th minute.
Morocco continued to create the better opportunities and eventually convert them. Ayoub El Kaabi first hit the post with bicycle kick, then Walid El Karti converted from close range after the Nigerian keeper parried a shot in the 61st minute.
After only three minutes, Hadraf, the match's best player, continued his impressive performance, scoring his brace in the game.
The CHAN top scorer finally scored in the 73rd minute, his ninth goal in the competition.
Nigeria claimed the silver medal in the tournament, which is for African footballers based in their own domestic leagues.
The bronze was won by Sudan after defeating Libya 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Saturday in Marrakech.
