Abdelmouna Boutouil and captain Ayoub El Kaabi scored in the second half at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé to guide Morocco to a second consecutive title following their triumph on home soil in 2018.

Mali had Isssaka Samake sent off for a second yellow card deep into second-half stoppage time to compound the misery for the West Africans.

Morocco were forced to weather an early storm from Mali, who started the better of the two sides and missed chances to go ahead in the first half.

Mousaa Kone beat the Moroccan offside trap but could not beat goalkeeper Anas Zniti, before Demba Diallo broke free and fired over the crossbar from 20 yards.

Mali hit the post 11 minutes after the restart when Sadio Kanoute's header struck the upright before they fell behind to Boutouil's opener.

Morocco effectively sealed victory 10 minutes after breaking the deadlock as El Kaabi bravely dived in to head home.

There was still time for Samake to receive his marching orders for a second bookable offence, but it mattered little as Morocco held on, sparking wild celebrations at the final whistle.