Host Morocco defeated defending champions Egypt 2-1 in extra time at home in Rabat on Saturday (8 July). Both teams and Mali booked their places in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

Morocco came from behind to clinch their first TotalEnergies U-23 Africa Cup of Nations title against ten-man Egypt at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, requiring extra time to settle the match.

They became only the fourth nation to lift the trophy since the football tournament was launched in 2011. Morocco finished runners-up in the inaugural tournament losing to Gabon 2-1 in Marrakech.

Egypt took an early lead when Mahmoud Saber unleashed a brilliant curler into the top corner, giving his team an advantage after just nine minutes of play.

However, after Saber’s received a red card eight minutes later for a reckless challenge to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, things went from good to bad.

In the 37th-minutes, Yanis Begraoui draws parity to end the first half 1-1. No goal was scored in the second 45 minutes until extra time when substitute Oussamna Targhalline capitalized on a free kick from Ezzalzouli, delivering a powerful strike that eluded the Egyptian goalkeeper, making it 2-1 in favour of Morocco.

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 🇲🇦🏆🎉🥳#TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/YX44Ccyydj

— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 🏆 (@CAF_Online) July 8, 2023

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