El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco overcame a jittery start to overcome their island opponents in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a far from convincing showing, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the three points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Chances
Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at half-time despite controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
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 opening game is never easy but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently extinguished by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result.
Earlier in the match, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Opportunity
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay until the Moroccans' greater quality in the end told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made a number of other good stops to keep down the scoreline as the game wore on, even though Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The victory was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the first half in some distress.
The centre-back had just made his comeback to the international setup recently following a lengthy absence due to a serious ankle operation.
This result extends the team's historic run of consecutive wins to nineteen, beating the previous best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
