El Kaabi's Spectacular Goal Secures The Atlas Lions' Win Against the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a anxious beginning to beat Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a less than dominant showing, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Beginning and Missed Opportunities
Morocco missed an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.
Every first match is never easy but we came good in the second half,” said manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was then calmed by a moment of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following his introduction, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the win.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Chance
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' individual talent in the end made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor made a number of other good stops to limit the score as the game progressed, although Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the first half in tears.
The defender had just made his comeback to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery.
This result continues Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to nineteen, surpassing the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
