At his arrival at the complex, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan reviewed a detachment of the royal guard that paid the honours and was greeted mainly by interior minister Abdelouafi Laftit, industry minister and chairman of the committe of Morocco's candidacy for the 2026 football world cup organization Moulay Hafid Elalamy and minister of youth and sports Rachid Talbi Alami.

His Royal Highness was also greeted by CAF president Ahmad Ahmad, FIFA secretary general Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura, first vice-president of CAF Kwesi Nyantakyi and second vice president of CAF Omari Selemani.

Afterwards, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan headed for the VIP stand where he watched the official opening ceremony of this championship.

The ceremony, which started with the national anthem sang by Moroccan singer Ibtissam Tiskat, was marked notably by choreographies reflecting Morocco's attachment to its African roots as well as folklore dancing performed by African groups.

At the end of this ceremony, Moroccan singer Jannat Mahid, accompanied by producer DJ VAN, sang the famous song "Mama Africa".

Then, the audience observed a minute's silence in memory of late goalkeeper of MAS football club and of national football team Hamid El Hazzaz, who died on Saturday in Fez.

After saluting the flags of Morocco and Mauritania while their national anthems were playing, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan went to the playing field of the said complex to greet the refrees and the players from both teams and posed for a photo souvenir with the two football teams.

Afterwards, His Royal Highness kicked off the game and returned to the VIP stand to watch the match which ended with the Moroccan team beating the Mauritanian one by 4-0.

The 5th 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will run from Jan. 13 to Feb.4 in the cities of Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangiers, and Agadir.