Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Caps The Atlas Lions' Victory Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a anxious start to defeat Comoros in the competition's first match on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic showing, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the small island nation in the world rankings and were forced to toil hard for the victory in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time despite controlling possession, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The first match is invariably tough but we delivered in the second half,” said Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was subsequently calmed by a moment of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after his introduction, the forward connected with a cross with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Second-Half Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' greater quality in the end made the difference.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor made a number of other fine saves to keep down the scoreline as the game wore on, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Hosts
The victory was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute apparently in some distress.
The centre-back had just made his comeback to the international setup recently after a lengthy layoff caused by a serious ankle operation.
The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of successive wins to 19, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
