Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Strike Secures The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations Opening Match.
Host nation Morocco overcame a jittery beginning to overcome Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on Sunday, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a less than dominant display, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the victory in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early spot-kick and were goalless at the interval despite dominating the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.
Every opening game is never easy but we delivered in the second period,” said manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Chance
The underdogs stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods until the Moroccans' greater quality in the end made the difference.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other good stops to limit the score as the match progressed, although Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Concern for Morocco
The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute in some distress.
This centre-back had just made his comeback to the national side recently after a lengthy layoff due to ankle surgery.
The win extends the team's record-breaking run of successive wins to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
