Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Finish Secures Morocco's Triumph Over Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco overcame a jittery start to beat their island opponents in the competition's first match on Sunday, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a far from convincing performance, however, from the strongly favored hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Opportunities
Morocco failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating possession, finally opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The first match is invariably tough but we delivered in the second half,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently calmed by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after his introduction, the striker met a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by keeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay until the Moroccans' individual talent in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor made a number of further good stops to keep down the scoreline as the match wore on, even though Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Worry for Morocco
The victory was partially marred by an injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in some distress.
This defender had just returned to the national side recently after a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
This result extends Morocco's historic run of consecutive victories to nineteen, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
