Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Secures Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opener.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a anxious beginning to overcome Comoros in the competition's first match on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the strongly favored hosts, who sit 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at half-time despite controlling possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It came when full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The opening game is always difficult but we delivered in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently eased by a moment of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after coming on, the forward met a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Chance
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the Moroccans' greater quality in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off a number of other fine saves to limit the scoreline as the match wore on, although his team did have a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at keeper Bounou.
Injury Concern for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute apparently in tears.
The defender had only returned to the national side recently after a year’s absence due to ankle surgery.
This result extends the team's record-breaking run of successive wins to 19, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
