El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Secures The Atlas Lions' Triumph Over Comoros in Afcon Opening Match.
Host nation Morocco shook off a anxious beginning to defeat Comoros in the competition's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a far from convincing display, however, from the strongly favored hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Start and Spurned Chances
The hosts failed to convert an first-half penalty and were goalless at the interval even with controlling the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal came when full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every first match is never easy but we improved in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Magic
The tension was then calmed by a moment of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following his introduction, the forward met a cross with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Before that, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Chance
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the hosts' greater quality in the end made the difference.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other good stops to limit the scoreline as the match wore on, even though his team did have a chance for an equaliser shortly after the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Concern for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute in some distress.
The defender had only returned to the national side recently after a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
The win continues Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
