Rabat: Morocco thrashed Niger 5-0 to become the 1st African team to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup in a round six, group E match played on Friday night in Rabat. The Atlas Lions showed their intent from the onset, playing in front of the 68,500 fans who thronged the newly refurbished Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and taking control of the game with a 2-0 lead in the first stanza thanks to Ismael Sabiri’s brace.

According to Nam News Network, Niger, who played with 10 men for almost 70 minutes after Abdoul-Latif Goumey was shown marching orders for a second booking, found it hard in