Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Caps The Atlas Lions' Triumph Against Comoros in Afcon First Game.
Host nation Morocco shook off a anxious beginning to beat Comoros in the tournament's first match on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a less than dominant showing, however, from the strongly favored hosts, who sit 97 places above the tiny island nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at the national stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early spot-kick and were goalless at half-time even with dominating the ball, finally 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 slipping it square for Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every opening game is invariably tough but we improved in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was then eased by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following coming on, the forward met a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Chance
Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the hosts' superior firepower eventually told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off a number of other good stops to keep down the score as the match wore on, although his team did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the captain, Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in some distress.
This defender had just returned to the national side recently after a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery.
The win continues Morocco's historic run of successive victories to 19, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
