Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Caps Morocco's Triumph Against Comoros in Afcon Opening Match.
The Morocco overcame a jittery beginning to defeat Comoros in the competition's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a less than dominant performance, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Chances
The hosts failed to convert an early penalty and were goalless at the interval despite dominating possession, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The opening game is invariably tough but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
The tension was subsequently extinguished by a moment of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after his introduction, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team could have been the lead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco for long periods until the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor made several further good stops to keep down the score as the match wore on, although Comoros created a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.
Injury Concern for Hosts
The victory was somewhat marred by an injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in tears.
This defender had only made his comeback to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff caused by ankle surgery.
The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the old best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
