El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Secures The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opening Match.
The Morocco shook off a nervy start to beat Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, with goals from Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a hardly emphatic showing, however, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to toil hard for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Start and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval even with dominating the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
“The opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
Any lingering nerves was subsequently eased by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Before that, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco for long periods before the Moroccans' individual talent eventually told.
Shot-stopper Pandor made a number of further good stops to limit the scoreline as the match wore on, although his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Saïss, who was forced off after the first half apparently in tears.
The defender had just made his comeback to the international setup last month following a year’s absence caused by ankle surgery.
This result extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to 19, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
