El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Secures Morocco's Win Over Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco overcame a jittery start to overcome Comoros in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, with goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a far from convincing performance, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the victory in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Missed Chances
Morocco failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The opening game is never easy but we improved in the second half,” said manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was then eased by a piece of pure genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following coming on, the forward met a cross with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the win.
Before that, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
Comoros comfortably held Morocco at bay until the hosts' greater quality eventually made the difference.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor made a number of further good stops to keep down the scoreline as the match progressed, even though his team did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The three points was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute in tears.
The defender had only returned to the national side recently after a year’s layoff caused by a serious ankle operation.
This result extends Morocco's historic run of consecutive wins to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
