Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Victory Against the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a nervy beginning to defeat Comoros in the competition's opening game on Sunday, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic showing, however, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the victory in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Chances
The hosts failed to convert an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
Every opening game is invariably tough but we came good in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following his introduction, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' superior firepower eventually told.
Goalkeeper Pandor made several further good stops to keep down the score as the game wore on, even though Comoros created a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Saïd firing directly into keeper Bounou.
Injury Concern for Morocco
The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an injury to the skipper, Saïss, who was forced off after the first half apparently in tears.
This defender had only returned to the international setup last month after a lengthy layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to 19, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
