Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Wraps Up Morocco's Victory Against Comoros in Afcon Opener.
The the Moroccan side shook off a jittery beginning to overcome Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts failed to convert an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time despite controlling possession, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
Every first match is never easy but we came good in the second half,” said manager Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Magic
Any lingering nerves was subsequently calmed by a moment of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after his introduction, the forward met a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the win.
Before that, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco at bay before the hosts' individual talent in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor made a number of further good stops to limit the scoreline as the match progressed, although his team created a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Saïd shooting directly into keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute apparently in tears.
The defender had only returned to the national side last month following a year’s absence due to a serious ankle operation.
This result extends the team's historic run of successive victories to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
