El Kaabi's Stunning Finish Secures Morocco's Victory Against the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco shook off a nervy start to defeat their island opponents in the tournament's first match on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Chances
The hosts failed to convert an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time despite dominating possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Brilliance
The tension was then eased by a piece of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following coming on, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was kept out by keeper Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Opportunity
Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the hosts' superior firepower in the end made the difference.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to limit the score as the game progressed, although Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Hosts
The victory was partially overshadowed by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the first half apparently in some distress.
The centre-back had just returned to the international setup recently following a lengthy absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
This result extends Morocco's historic run of successive wins to nineteen, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.