Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Finish Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Against Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The the Moroccan side overcame a anxious beginning to beat their island opponents in the competition's inaugural fixture on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a less than dominant showing, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Opportunities
The hosts missed an early penalty and were goalless at the interval even with controlling the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The first match is never easy but we improved in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was subsequently calmed by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following his introduction, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Chance
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' superior firepower eventually made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor made a number of further good stops to keep down the scoreline as the game wore on, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The victory was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off in the first half apparently in some distress.
The centre-back had only returned to the national side recently following a year’s absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
The win continues the team's record-breaking run of successive victories to 19, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
