Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Wraps Up Morocco's Win Over Comoros in Afcon Opening Match.
Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a nervy beginning to beat Comoros in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a hardly emphatic display, though, from the strongly favored hosts, who sit 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to grind out for the points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco failed to convert an early penalty and were goalless at the interval even with controlling possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The first match is invariably tough but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
The tension was then extinguished by a moment of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after coming on, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs stoutly defended against Morocco at bay until the Moroccans' individual talent in the end made the difference.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off a number of other fine saves to keep down the score as the match progressed, although Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing directly into keeper Bounou.
Injury Concern for Morocco
The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute in tears.
The centre-back had only made his comeback to the international setup recently following a lengthy layoff caused by ankle surgery.
The win extends the team's historic run of successive victories to 19, surpassing the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
