Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Caps Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opener.
Host nation Morocco shook off a anxious beginning to defeat Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a less than dominant display, however, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Chances
Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time despite dominating possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
Every opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second half,” said manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
Any lingering nerves was subsequently eased by a piece of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after coming on, the forward met a cross with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Chance
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' individual talent in the end made the difference.
Shot-stopper Pandor made a number of other good stops to keep down the score as the match progressed, although Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half apparently in some distress.
This centre-back had only made his comeback to the international setup last month following a lengthy layoff caused by a serious ankle operation.
The win extends the team's historic run of successive wins to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
