El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Victory Against the Coelacanths in Afcon Opener.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a jittery beginning to beat Comoros in the competition's opening game on Sunday, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a less than dominant showing, however, from the strongly favored hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco missed an first-half penalty and were goalless at half-time even with controlling possession, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The opening game is always difficult but we came good in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
The tension was then eased by a piece of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following coming on, the forward met a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the win.
Before that, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity
The underdogs stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' individual talent eventually told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made a number of other fine saves to keep down the scoreline as the game wore on, even though his team did have a chance for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The three points was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in some distress.
The defender had just returned to the national side recently after a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
The win continues Morocco's historic run of successive victories to 19, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
