Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Caps Morocco's Victory Against Comoros in Afcon Opening Match.
The Morocco shook off a jittery beginning to defeat their island opponents in the competition's opening game on Sunday, with goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a hardly emphatic display, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to toil hard for the points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time despite controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every first match is never easy but we delivered in the second period,” said Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently calmed by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after his introduction, the forward met a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco for long periods until the Moroccans' greater quality in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several further good stops to keep down the score as the game progressed, although his team did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Worry for Morocco
The three points was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Saïss, who limped off in the first half in some distress.
This centre-back had just returned to the national side last month following a lengthy absence due to a serious ankle operation.
The win continues Morocco's record-breaking run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
