El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Wraps Up Morocco's Victory Against the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a nervy start to overcome their island opponents in the competition's opening game on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a less than dominant showing, though, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Chances
Morocco missed an early penalty and were goalless at the interval even with dominating possession, finally opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
It came when full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Brahim DĂaz to calmly pass into the net.
“The opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Piece of Magic
The tension was then extinguished by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after coming on, the forward met a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on DĂaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay until the hosts' superior firepower in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor made several other fine saves to limit the score as the match progressed, even though his team did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following DĂaz's goal, with SaĂŻd firing straight at keeper Bounou.
Injury Concern for Hosts
The three points was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, SaĂŻss, who was forced off in the 18th minute apparently in some distress.
The centre-back had just returned to the national side last month following a lengthy layoff caused by ankle surgery.
This result continues Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to nineteen, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
