El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Against the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations Opener.
The the Moroccan side shook off a jittery beginning to defeat their island opponents in the competition's opening game on Sunday, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a less than dominant performance, however, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Beginning and Spurned Chances
The hosts failed to convert an early spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite dominating the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The opening game is always difficult but we came good in the second half,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a moment of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following coming on, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Second-Half Chance
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' greater quality eventually told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made a number of other fine saves to limit the scoreline as the game progressed, although his team did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into keeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute in tears.
This defender had only returned to the national side recently following a lengthy layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to nineteen, beating the previous record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
