Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Caps Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco overcame a anxious start to defeat Comoros in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a less than dominant performance, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts failed to convert an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite dominating the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The first match is never easy but we delivered in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a moment of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following coming on, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by keeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs stoutly defended against Morocco at bay until the hosts' superior firepower eventually told.
Goalkeeper Pandor made several further good stops to limit the score as the match progressed, even though Comoros created a chance for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The three points was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the first half apparently in tears.
This defender had only returned to the national side recently after a lengthy layoff caused by a serious ankle operation.
This result extends the team's historic run of consecutive victories to 19, beating the old best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
