Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Wraps Up Morocco's Triumph Over Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The the Moroccan side shook off a anxious start to overcome Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a less than dominant showing, however, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the small island nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the three points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Opportunities
The hosts failed to convert an early spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
Every opening game is always difficult but we delivered in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Magic
The tension was then eased by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes after his introduction, the forward met a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the Moroccans' greater quality in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several further fine saves to limit the score as the game wore on, although his team did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Saïd shooting directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute in tears.
This defender had just returned to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery.
The win extends the team's historic run of consecutive wins to nineteen, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
