El Kaabi's Spectacular Goal Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Against Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The the Moroccan side shook off a nervy beginning to beat Comoros in the competition's first match on the weekend, thanks to Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Missed Chances
The hosts missed an early spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with dominating the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
Every first match is never easy but we delivered in the second period,” commented manager Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance
The tension was then eased by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only 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 win.
Before that, the hosts could have been the lead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Chance
Comoros stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off several further good stops to keep down the score as the match progressed, even though Comoros created a chance for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing directly into keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The three points was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute apparently in some distress.
The defender had just returned to the national side recently after a year’s absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
This result continues the team's historic run of successive wins to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
