El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Secures The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
The Morocco overcame a nervy start to defeat their island opponents in the tournament's opening game on Sunday, thanks to Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic display, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Chances
The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
Every opening game is never easy but we came good in the second period,” said manager Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Magic
The tension was then calmed by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following his introduction, the striker connected with a cross with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result.
Before that, the hosts could have been the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
Comoros stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the hosts' superior firepower eventually told.
Shot-stopper Pandor made a number of further good stops to limit the scoreline as the game progressed, although Comoros created a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting directly into keeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The three points was somewhat marred by an injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the first half apparently in some distress.
The centre-back had just made his comeback to the national side last month after a lengthy layoff caused by ankle surgery.
This result extends the team's historic run of consecutive wins to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
