El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Caps Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opening Match.
The Morocco shook off a jittery start to beat Comoros in the competition's first match on Sunday, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a less than dominant performance, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the three points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Missed Chances
The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite controlling the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It came when full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Magic
The tension was then extinguished by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Before that, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Second-Half Chance
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' greater quality in the end made the difference.
Shot-stopper Pandor made a number of further fine saves to keep down the score as the game progressed, even though his team created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The three points was partially overshadowed by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half in tears.
This centre-back had only made his comeback to the international setup last month following a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
The win extends Morocco's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
