Abdessalam Benjelloun opened the scoring for Morocco

Rwanda and Morocco both began their 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with comfortable 3-0 wins on Saturday in Group 8.

Morocco scored two early goals as they beat 10-man Ethiopia in Casablanca.

Abdessalam Benjelloun, who plays for Scottish side Hibernian, grabbed the opening goal after just four minutes, Hicham Aboucharouane doubled the lead for the Atlas Lions eight minutes later.

Ethiopia were reduced to ten men when Fikru Tefera, who plays for South African Champions SuperSport United, was sent off eight minutes into the second half.

Morocco were unable to make the extra man count until the 87th minute when Houcine Kharja found the net to complete the win.

Rwanda scored two late goals in their 3-0 win over visiting Mauritania in Kigali.

Olivier Karekezi opened the scoring for the hosts in Kigali with a goal in the 15th minute.

The victory was sealed with two late goals from Abed Said in the 75th minute and then Bogota Labama nine minutes later.

Rwanda continue their 2010 qualifiers in Ethiopia while Mauritania play host neighbours Morocco, both games are next weekend.