Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Goal Secures The Atlas Lions' Victory Against Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco overcame a anxious beginning to beat Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, thanks to Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a far from convincing display, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Start and Spurned Chances
The hosts failed to convert an early spot-kick and were goalless at the interval despite dominating the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every first match is never easy but we delivered in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Magic
The tension was then extinguished by a moment of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following his introduction, the forward connected with a cross with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
The underdogs stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents at bay until the Moroccans' individual talent in the end told.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off a number of other good stops to limit the score as the game progressed, even though Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The three points was somewhat overshadowed by an injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in tears.
The centre-back had just returned to the national side last month after a lengthy layoff due to ankle surgery.
This result extends Morocco's historic run of successive wins to nineteen, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
