El Kaabi's Breathtaking Strike Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Against Comoros in Afcon First Game.
Host nation Morocco overcame a anxious start to defeat Comoros in the competition's first match on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic display, though, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Opportunities
The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval even with controlling the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Brahim DĂaz to calmly pass home.
“The opening game is invariably tough but we improved in the second half,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
The tension was subsequently extinguished by a moment of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following his introduction, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim DĂaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was saved by keeper Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Opportunity
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay until the Moroccans' superior firepower eventually made the difference.
Shot-stopper Pandor made a number of further fine saves to limit the score as the game progressed, although his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with SaĂŻd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Worry for Morocco
The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain SaĂŻss, who limped off in the first half in tears.
This centre-back had only made his comeback to the national side last month after a year’s layoff caused by ankle surgery.
The win continues the team's record-breaking run of successive wins to 19, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
