El Kaabi's Stunning Finish Caps Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a anxious start to overcome Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Chances
Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at half-time even with controlling the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal came when full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass home.
Every opening game is always difficult but we came good in the second half,” said manager Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Magic
Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after his introduction, the forward met a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity
The underdogs stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the hosts' individual talent in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to keep down the score as the game progressed, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing straight at Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute in some distress.
This centre-back had just returned to the national side last month after a year’s absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
This result continues the team's record-breaking run of successive victories to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
