Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Caps Morocco's Victory Over Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations Opener.
The Morocco overcame a anxious beginning to beat their island opponents in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the victory in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Start and Spurned Chances
The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
“The first match is always difficult but we delivered in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
The tension was then eased by a piece of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes after coming on, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team could have been the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' individual talent eventually made the difference.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to keep down the scoreline as the game progressed, although his team created a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The three points was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the first half in some distress.
The centre-back had just returned to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
This result continues Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
