Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Caps Morocco's Win Against the Coelacanths in Afcon Opening Match.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a anxious beginning to beat Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic display, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the victory in wet conditions at the national stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Chances
The hosts failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal came when full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every first match is invariably tough but we improved in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Magic
The tension was then extinguished by a piece of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after coming on, the forward met a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Before that, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Chance
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco for long periods until the Moroccans' individual talent in the end told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made a number of further fine saves to keep down the score as the match progressed, although Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off after the first half in tears.
The defender had just made his comeback to the national side recently following a year’s layoff caused by ankle surgery.
This result extends the team's historic run of consecutive wins to 19, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.