Morocco are through to the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 2-1 victory over stubborn Malawi at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.

Gabadinho Mhango put Malawi into an early lead with an exceptional strike.

But Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri levelled at the end of the first half and Paris St-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi sealed the win for the Atlas Lions.

Morocco’s quarter-final opponents will be either Egypt or Ivory Coast, who meet in Douala on Wednesday.

A well-observed silence was held before kick-off in memory of those killed at Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium on Monday night.

The players wore black armbands and messages of condolence were displayed on the advertising hoardings.

Morocco were clear favourites, but it was Malawi who struck first in the seventh minute with Mhango’s outstanding effort.

The Atlas Lions started strongly at the start of the second half but again failed to press home their advantage.

They finally had the lead in the 70th minute when Hakimi struck a brilliant free-kick, curled over the wall and into the near top corner.

Malawi qualified for the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams and were playing their first knockout game at a Nations Cup finals.