El Kaabi's Breathtaking Strike Caps Morocco's Victory Over Comoros in Afcon First Game.
The the Moroccan side overcame a jittery start to overcome Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a far from convincing showing, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who sit 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to toil hard for the three points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Chances
Morocco failed to convert an first-half penalty and were goalless at the interval even with 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 laying it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
“The first match is always difficult but we improved in the second period,” said Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Magic
Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a piece of pure genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following his introduction, the striker met a cross with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents at bay before the hosts' individual talent eventually made the difference.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor made a number of other fine saves to keep down the score as the match wore on, even though his team did have a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Saïd shooting straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The three points was somewhat overshadowed by an injury to the captain, Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute in some distress.
The defender had just returned to the international setup recently after a lengthy absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
This result extends the team's historic run of consecutive wins to nineteen, beating the old best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
