Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Goal Secures Morocco's Win Over Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations Opener.
The the Moroccan side overcame a anxious beginning to beat their island opponents in the tournament's first match on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a far from convincing performance, though, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the points in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Díaz to calmly pass home.
Every first match is never easy but we delivered in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance
The tension was then eased by a piece of pure genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following coming on, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Chance
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco at bay before the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off a number of further fine saves to limit the score as the game wore on, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Saïd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute apparently in tears.
This centre-back had only made his comeback to the national side recently following a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
This result extends Morocco's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
