El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Secures Morocco's Win Against Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations Opening Match.
The the Moroccan side shook off a anxious beginning to beat Comoros in the competition's opening game on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a far from convincing showing, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the three points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an first-half penalty and were goalless at half-time even with controlling possession, 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 slipping it square for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The opening game is invariably tough but we came good in the second half,” said manager Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
Any lingering nerves was subsequently calmed by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following his introduction, the striker met a cross with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result.
Before that, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' greater quality eventually made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off several other good stops to limit the scoreline as the game wore on, even though Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.
Injury Concern for Morocco
The three points was somewhat overshadowed by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute apparently in some distress.
The centre-back had only made his comeback to the international setup recently following a year’s layoff caused by ankle surgery.
The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
