El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Secures The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
The Morocco shook off a jittery beginning to beat their island opponents in the tournament's opening game on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a hardly emphatic showing, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the victory in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Missed Opportunities
Morocco missed an early penalty and were goalless at the interval even with controlling possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for DĂaz to sidefoot home.
Every opening game is never easy but we delivered in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently extinguished by a piece of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a foul on Brahim DĂaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay until the hosts' individual talent in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off several further fine saves to keep down the score as the game wore on, although Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly after DĂaz's goal, with SaĂŻd firing directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Concern for Morocco
The victory was partially marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, SaĂŻss, who limped off after the first half apparently in tears.
This defender had only made his comeback to the international setup recently after a year’s absence caused by ankle surgery.
This result extends the team's historic run of successive wins to nineteen, beating the previous best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
