El Kaabi's Spectacular Goal Wraps Up Morocco's Victory Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations Opener.
Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a jittery beginning to overcome Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Opportunities
Morocco missed an early penalty and were goalless at the interval despite dominating the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before laying it square for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was then extinguished by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after coming on, the forward met a cross with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result.
Before that, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a challenge on Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Chance
Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the Moroccans' greater quality eventually made the difference.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off a number of further good stops to keep down the score as the match wore on, although Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The victory was partially marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Saïss, who limped off after the first half apparently in some distress.
This defender had just returned to the national side recently after a year’s layoff caused by ankle surgery.
This result extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to nineteen, surpassing the old record of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
