Morocco join hosts Ghana in the line-up for the finals

The Atlas Lions got the goal after only nine minutes, when Bouchaib al-Moubaraki pounced on a mistake from Malawi goalkeeper Simeon Kapuza.

Kapuza messed up a simple clearance, allowing El Mubarak to nip in, round him and slot home.

Morocco then sat back comfortably and Malawi were rarely able to put them under pressure for any sustained period of time.

Malawi remain second in the group of three, however - still two points above bottom side Zimbabwe.

Morocco coach Mohamed Fakhir has seven months to develop a squad capable of challenging for the greatest prize in African football after a dismal showing at the previous tournament in Egypt last year.

The Atlas Lions failed to win a match or score a goal as they finished third behind eventual champions Egypt and runners-up Ivory Coast and only one point above minnows Libya.