Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Strike Caps The Atlas Lions' Victory Against the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco overcame a nervy beginning to defeat their island opponents in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a less than dominant performance, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Chances
Morocco failed to convert an first-half penalty and were goalless at half-time even with controlling the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute of the second half.
It arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The opening game is always difficult but we came good in the second period,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently eased by a piece of pure genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following his introduction, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
Comoros stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' greater quality in the end made the difference.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made several other good stops to keep down the score as the match wore on, although Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Saïd shooting directly into keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half in tears.
The defender had just made his comeback to the national side last month after a year’s absence due to a serious ankle operation.
This result extends Morocco's record-breaking run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
