Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Wraps Up Morocco's Triumph Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
The the Moroccan side shook off a jittery beginning to beat their island opponents in the competition's inaugural fixture on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a less than dominant performance, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the three points in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Chances
Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with dominating possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The opening game is invariably tough but we came good in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was then eased by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following his introduction, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity
Comoros comfortably held Morocco at bay until the hosts' individual talent in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor made several further good stops to limit the score as the match wore on, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Hosts
The three points was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute apparently in tears.
This defender had only returned to the international setup last month following a year’s absence due to a serious ankle operation.
The win continues Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.