El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation Morocco overcame a anxious beginning to beat Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, thanks to Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a less than dominant display, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Chances
The hosts missed an early spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite dominating the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before laying it square for Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
“The opening game is never easy but we came good in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was then eased by a moment of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Before that, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Chance
Comoros stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the hosts' superior firepower eventually told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off a number of further fine saves to keep down the scoreline as the match progressed, even though his team did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The victory was partially marred by an injury to the skipper, Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in some distress.
The defender had just made his comeback to the national side last month following a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
The win extends the team's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
