Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Against the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco overcame a jittery start to overcome their island opponents in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a less than dominant display, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early spot-kick and were goalless at half-time despite dominating possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The opening game is never easy but we came good in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Magic
The tension was subsequently extinguished by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after his introduction, the forward connected with a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.
Before that, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Second-Half Chance
Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor pulled off a number of further fine saves to keep down the score as the match progressed, even though his team did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half in tears.
This centre-back had just returned to the national side recently following a year’s absence due to a serious ankle operation.
The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to nineteen, beating the previous record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
