Ismael Saibari scored twice in the first half following Abdul-Latif Goumey’s red card, with Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi sealing the rout after the break.

The Atlas Lions’ sixth straight victory gave them 18 points, eight ahead of Tanzania, securing their seventh World Cup appearance with two games to spare. 

Morocco aims to build on their 2022 Qatar campaign, where they made history as the first African team to reach the semi-finals, defeating Spain and Portugal before losing 2-0 to France. 

Only Ounahi from Friday’s scorers played in Qatar, as coach Walid Regragui integrates new talent like PSV’s Saibari.

In other qualifiers, Egypt edged Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo with late first-half penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. 

A win against Burkina Faso on Tuesday could secure Egypt’s spot at the 2026 finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. 

In Group B, DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu (two goals) led a 4-1 win over South Sudan, while Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr scored in a 2-0 victory against Sudan.

South Africa strengthened their Group C lead with a 3-0 win over Lesotho, with goals from Mohau Nkota, Lyle Foster, and Oswin Appollis, though injuries to Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane raise concerns for their upcoming Nigeria clash. 

Benin’s Steve Mounie struck to beat Zimbabwe 1-0, and Gambia upset Kenya 3-1, with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh scoring. Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy netted in a 3-0 win over Somalia, but they trail Group G leaders Algeria by eight points.

Ivory Coast, the reigning African champions, face a pivotal Group F match against Gabon on Tuesday, which could decide the group winner.