El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Secures Morocco's Victory Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opening Match.
The the Moroccan side overcame a anxious start to overcome Comoros in the competition's first match on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic showing, however, from the strongly favored hosts, who sit 97 places above the tiny island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the victory in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Opportunities
The hosts failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval despite dominating the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
Every opening game is always difficult but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
The tension was then calmed by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following coming on, the forward met a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Before that, the hosts could have been the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Chance
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco for long periods until the hosts' individual talent in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to limit the score as the match wore on, although his team did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at keeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The three points was somewhat overshadowed by an injury to the captain, Saïss, who limped off after the first half in tears.
This centre-back had just returned to the national side recently after a year’s absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
