El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Caps Morocco's Win Against the Coelacanths in Afcon Opening Match.
The Morocco overcame a anxious beginning to overcome Comoros in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to work tirelessly for the victory in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Chances
The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with controlling the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
It arrived after full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs stoutly defended against Morocco at bay before the hosts' superior firepower in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other good stops to limit the scoreline as the match wore on, although his team created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute in some distress.
This centre-back had only made his comeback to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery.
The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to 19, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
