Ayoub El Kaabi scored a hat-trick as Morocco handed Guinea a 3-1 drubbing in an Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) encounter played at Mohammed V Stadium in Morocco.

Guinea started the better of the sides and they should have taken the lead in the 15th minute through Sekou Camara but his header went inches wide.

From that point Morocco were utterly dominant throughout the game against the West Africans and on 27th minute El Kaabi opened the scoring from a beautiful header despite protests from opponents.

However, their lead was short-lived as Saidouba Bissiri equalised for Syli Nationale with a brilliant loop past advancing Anas Zinti.

El Kaabi grabbed his brace in the 64th minute when he capitalized on a defensive blunder before firing a left-footed shot into the back of the net.

El Kaabi completed his hat-trick four minutes later after eliminating the goalkeeper and a defender before slamming the ball into an empty net.

Guinea tried to make a game of it, but their build-ups were not capitalised on and were unable to crack the resolute Morocco defence.

Jamal Sellami’s team is now top of Group A and will wait for the next match between Mauritania and Sudan for them to get assured of a quarter-finals slot.

Both teams will be back in action on Sunday for the last of Group A matches with Morocco facing Sudan at the same venue. Guinea take on Mauritania at the same time in a match to be played in the city of Marrakech.

Line-ups:

Morocco: Zniti; Jbira, Aguerd, Benoun, Nahiri – El Haddad, Barrahma, Saidi (Boulhroude 56′), Hadraf – Hafidi (El Karti 18′) – El Kaabi (Bencharki 77′).

Guinea: Kante; I.Sylla, Gal Camara (Landel 72′), Ancamara, A.Bangoura – M.N’Diaye (D.Camara 48′), D.Bangoura, I.S.Sankhon – A.Camara, Sekou, Bissiri (S.Keita 75′).