El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Secures Morocco's Triumph Against the Coelacanths in Afcon Opener.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a jittery start to overcome their island opponents in the competition's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a less than dominant performance, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the victory in wet conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Chances
The hosts failed to convert an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling possession, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The first match is never easy but we delivered in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Magic
The tension was then calmed by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following coming on, the striker met a cross with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Before that, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay before the Moroccans' greater quality eventually told.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off a number of other fine saves to limit the scoreline as the game wore on, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The three points was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off in the first half apparently in some distress.
This defender had only returned to the international setup last month following a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
The win continues the team's historic run of consecutive wins to 19, surpassing the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
