El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Secures The Atlas Lions' Win Over Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a jittery start to overcome Comoros in the competition's opening game on the weekend, thanks to Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Missed Chances
The hosts failed to convert an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite controlling possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
“The opening game is never easy but we improved in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently extinguished by a moment of pure genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following coming on, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead 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 spot-kick was given for a foul on Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Chance
Comoros comfortably held Morocco at bay until the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor made several other good stops to limit the score as the game wore on, although Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The victory was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute apparently in some distress.
This defender had only returned to the national side last month following a year’s absence due to ankle surgery.
The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to 19, beating the previous best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
