Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Secures The Atlas Lions' Victory Against Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco overcame a jittery start to beat Comoros in the competition's first match on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a hardly emphatic display, however, from the highly fancied hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the victory in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with dominating possession, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.
Every first match is always difficult but we improved in the second half,” said manager Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
The tension was then extinguished by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following his introduction, the forward met a cross with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Late Chance
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' superior firepower eventually told.
Shot-stopper Pandor made several other good stops to keep down the score as the match progressed, although Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute in some distress.
This centre-back had just returned to the international setup recently following a year’s layoff caused by ankle surgery.
The win continues the team's historic run of consecutive victories to 19, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
