El Kaabi's Stunning Finish Caps Morocco's Victory Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation Morocco overcame a jittery start to defeat Comoros in the tournament's first match on Sunday, with goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a far from convincing performance, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to work tirelessly for the victory in wet conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Chances
The hosts failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval despite dominating possession, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
Every first match is never easy but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was then extinguished by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following coming on, the striker connected with a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was saved by keeper Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' superior firepower eventually told.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off a number of further good stops to limit the scoreline as the match wore on, even though Comoros created a chance for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The victory was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in some distress.
The defender had just returned to the international setup recently following a year’s layoff caused by ankle surgery.
The win continues Morocco's historic run of consecutive wins to nineteen, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
