El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Secures Morocco's Triumph Against Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The the Moroccan side overcame a jittery start to overcome Comoros in the competition's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic display, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to grind out for the three points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco failed to convert an early spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with controlling possession, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
Every first match is invariably tough but we delivered in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was then extinguished by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents at bay before the hosts' superior firepower in the end told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor pulled off a number of further good stops to keep down the scoreline as the game progressed, even though Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Concern for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who was forced off after the first half apparently in tears.
The centre-back had just made his comeback to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
This result continues the team's historic run of successive wins to 19, beating the old best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
