Gabon, who will host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, were frequently denied by Herve Renard's dogged Moroccan side.

The home team looked to their Borussia Dortmund talisman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, to conjure up a winner.

He came closest in the 68th minute, only to see his header cleared off the line by Moroccan goalkeeper, Munir.

Morocco are attempting to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since France 1998.

Gabon have never qualified for world football's showpiece event.

The current African champions, Ivory Coast, are scheduled to host Mali in the other match of Group C later on Saturday evening.

In other 2018 World Cup qualifying matches on Saturday, the Democratic Republic of Congo host Libya in Group A, and both Group D matches take place with Burkina Faso entertaining South Africa, and Senegal at home to Cape Verde.

On Friday , the group phase of African World Cup qualifiers kicked off with Uganda holding Ghana to a 0-0 draw in Tamale in the opening game of Group E.

The other Group E match of the weekend takes place on Sunday, with Congo Brazzaville hosting Egypt.

Both matches in Group B - seen as the toughest of the five groups - are scheduled for Sunday with Zambia facing Nigeria in Ndola and Algeria playing Cameroon in Blida.

Also on Sunday, Tunisia entertain Guinea in Group A in Monastir.

Only the five group winners will qualify for Russia 2018 from Africa.