Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Victory Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations Opening Match.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a nervy start to overcome their island opponents in the competition's opening game on Sunday, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a far from convincing showing, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the three points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Chances
Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal came when full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
“The opening game is never easy but we delivered in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a piece of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following coming on, the striker met a cross with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a challenge on Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco at bay until the hosts' superior firepower in the end told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made a number of further good stops to keep down the score as the game wore on, although Comoros created a chance for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The victory was partially overshadowed by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute in tears.
The centre-back had just returned to the national side recently following a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
This result extends the team's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
