Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Caps Morocco's Triumph Over Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations Opener.
The Morocco shook off a anxious beginning to beat their island opponents in the competition's inaugural fixture on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a hardly emphatic showing, though, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the three points in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Chances
Morocco missed an early 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 prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
“The first match is invariably tough but we delivered in the second period,” said manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance
The tension was then calmed by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after coming on, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win.
Before that, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
Comoros comfortably held Morocco for long periods until the hosts' individual talent in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor made a number of further good stops to limit the scoreline as the game progressed, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute in some distress.
This centre-back had only made his comeback to the international setup last month following a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery.
The win continues Morocco's record-breaking run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
