Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Caps The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opening Match.
The Morocco shook off a nervy start to beat Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a hardly emphatic display, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite dominating the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every opening game is invariably tough but we delivered in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
The tension was subsequently calmed by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after coming on, the forward met a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco at bay before the Moroccans' individual talent in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off a number of other good stops to keep down the score as the game wore on, although Comoros did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The victory was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute in tears.
This defender had just made his comeback to the national side recently following a lengthy layoff due to ankle surgery.
The win extends the team's historic run of consecutive victories to nineteen, beating the previous record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
