El Kaabi's Breathtaking Strike Secures The Atlas Lions' Triumph Against the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
The Morocco shook off a jittery beginning to defeat Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, with goals from Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval despite controlling possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
Every first match is never easy but we delivered in the second period,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a piece of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after his introduction, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco at bay before the Moroccans' greater quality in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off a number of further good stops to keep down the score as the game wore on, even though his team created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Hosts
The victory was partially marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute in tears.
This centre-back had just made his comeback to the national side last month following a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
This result continues Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to 19, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
