El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Caps Morocco's Win Against the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations Opener.
The Morocco shook off a nervy beginning to overcome their island opponents in the competition's first match on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the three points in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every first match is invariably tough but we improved in the second half,” said Morocco coach Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
The tension was then extinguished by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following his introduction, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the win.
Before that, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco at bay until the hosts' superior firepower eventually made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor made several further good stops to keep down the score as the match progressed, although Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Morocco
The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute apparently in tears.
The centre-back had just returned to the international setup last month after a lengthy absence due to a serious ankle operation.
The win continues Morocco's record-breaking run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
