El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Caps The Atlas Lions' Victory Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opener.
The the Moroccan side overcame a anxious beginning to overcome Comoros in the tournament's first match on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a hardly emphatic display, though, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Chances
Morocco failed to convert an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
Every opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was then eased by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Before that, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Second-Half Opportunity
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the Moroccans' individual talent eventually made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor made several further good stops to keep down the scoreline as the game wore on, although Comoros did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Worry for Morocco
The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute apparently in some distress.
The defender had just returned to the national side recently after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
The win extends the team's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to nineteen, surpassing the old best of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
