Nordin Amrabat gained another 90 minutes of international experience as Morocco were held to a goalless draw in Gabon in their opening third round African World Cup qualifier yesterday.

The draw leaves the Moroccans third in the group ahead of Wednesday’s home clash with leaders Ivory Coast, who started their next phase of qualifying with a 3-1 victory over Mali.

Costel Pantilimon was an unused substitute as Romania eased to a 5-0 win over Armenia, who played all bar the opening three minutes with ten men following an early red card.

The visitors were 4-0 up inside the opening half-an-hour, but had to settle for just one further goal as they wrapped up their first triumph in Group E to leave them level on points with leaders Montenegro.

Next up for Romania is a trip to Kazakhstan on Tuesday.