Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Strike Secures The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation Morocco shook off a jittery start to defeat their island opponents in the tournament's first match on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Opportunities
The hosts missed an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite controlling the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute of the second half.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The first match is never easy but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a moment of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following his introduction, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity
Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the hosts' individual talent in the end told.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor made a number of further good stops to limit the score as the game wore on, even though his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Hosts
The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to the captain, Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute apparently in some distress.
This centre-back had only made his comeback to the national side last month following a year’s absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
This result continues the team's historic run of successive wins to 19, beating the previous best of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
