Super Eagles legend, Austin Jay Jay Okocha graced the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium as he proudly brought out the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations trophy ahead of the final showdown.
The iconic figure of the Nigerian took centre stage as the highly anticipated U-23 AFCON final between Morocco and Egypt unfolded in Rabat.
With his illustrious career leaving an indelible mark on football fans worldwide, Okocha had the honour of presenting the coveted trophy on the pitch before the commencement of the thrilling match.
The clash between the host nation and the defending champions was filled with excitement and tension, requiring extra time to determine the ultimate victor.
Egypt drew first blood with a goal from Mahmoud Saber Abdelmohsen Hassan just ten minutes into the contest, giving his team an early advantage.
However, Egypian’s joy was short-lived, as Hassan received a card and was sent off just eight minutes after scoring.
Undeterred by their red card disadvantage, Egypt managed to hold onto their lead. However, the resilient Moroccan side equalized in the 37th minute through Yanis Begraoui, leading to a deadlock that persisted until the end of regulation time and forcing the match into extra time.
It was in the extra time that Moroccan midfielder Oussama Targhalline emerged as the hero, securing the decisive goal from a free kick. With the home crowd erupting in jubilation, the hosts celebrated their triumph by lifting the AFCON trophy.
Aissam Charai’s determined troops emerged as the AFCON title winners, clinching a hard-fought victory over defending champions Egypt with a scoreline of 2-1 in extra time.
