El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Secures Morocco's Victory Over Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The the Moroccan side shook off a jittery start to defeat their island opponents in the competition's opening game on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic showing, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval even with dominating possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every first match is invariably tough but we delivered in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Magic
Any lingering nerves was then extinguished by a moment of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes after coming on, the forward connected with a cross with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Second-Half Chance
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the hosts' individual talent in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off a number of further good stops to limit the score as the game progressed, although his team did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in some distress.
The defender had just made his comeback to the international setup last month following a lengthy absence due to ankle surgery.
The win extends Morocco's historic run of successive wins to 19, surpassing the old best of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
