El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Secures Morocco's Victory Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opening Match.
The Morocco shook off a jittery start to overcome their island opponents in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time despite controlling possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The first match is invariably tough but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
The tension was then calmed by a piece of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after his introduction, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco at bay before the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off a number of further fine saves to keep down the score as the game wore on, although Comoros created a chance for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Hosts
The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the captain, Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in some distress.
The defender had just returned to the national side last month after a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery.
This result extends the team's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
