Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Finish Caps The Atlas Lions' Triumph Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opening Match.
The the Moroccan side shook off a nervy beginning to defeat their island opponents in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic display, however, from the highly fancied hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the points in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The first match is always difficult but we delivered in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Magic
The tension was then calmed by a piece of pure genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after his introduction, the forward connected with a cross with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco at bay until the Moroccans' individual talent eventually made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor made several other good stops to limit the score as the game wore on, even though his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The three points was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the first half apparently in tears.
The defender had just made his comeback to the national side recently following a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
This result continues Morocco's record-breaking run of successive victories to 19, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
