Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Caps The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation Morocco overcame a jittery beginning to beat Comoros in the tournament's first match on Sunday, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a far from convincing display, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at the national stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Chances
Morocco missed an early spot-kick and were goalless at the interval even with controlling possession, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
“The opening game is invariably tough but we improved in the second period,” commented manager Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Brilliance
The tension was then extinguished by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after coming on, the forward met a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the win.
Before that, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco at bay until the hosts' superior firepower eventually told.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to limit the scoreline as the game progressed, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off after the first half apparently in some distress.
The centre-back had only returned to the international setup last month after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
This result continues Morocco's record-breaking run of successive wins to nineteen, surpassing the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
