El Kaabi's Spectacular Strike Caps Morocco's Victory Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
Host nation Morocco overcame a anxious start to defeat their island opponents in the tournament's opening game on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to toil hard for the three points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Missed Opportunities
The hosts missed an first-half penalty and were goalless at half-time even with dominating the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every opening game is always difficult but we came good in the second period,” said manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
The tension was then extinguished by a moment of pure genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following his introduction, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team could have been the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by keeper Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Opportunity
Comoros comfortably held Morocco at bay until the Moroccans' superior firepower eventually told.
Shot-stopper Pandor made several further good stops to limit the score as the game wore on, although Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Morocco
The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off in the first half in some distress.
The centre-back had just made his comeback to the international setup last month after a lengthy layoff caused by ankle surgery.
This result extends the team's historic run of consecutive victories to nineteen, surpassing the old best of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.