El Kaabi's Stunning Finish Wraps Up Morocco's Win Over Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations Opening Match.
Host nation Morocco overcame a jittery beginning to defeat Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the three points in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Start and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco missed an early spot-kick and were goalless at the interval even with dominating the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The first match is always difficult but we delivered in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently calmed by a moment of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following coming on, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity
Comoros stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made a number of other good stops to keep down the score as the match progressed, although his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Saïd firing straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The three points was partially overshadowed by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half in some distress.
The defender had just made his comeback to the international setup last month following a lengthy absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
The win extends Morocco's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the previous record of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
