Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Against the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a jittery start to beat their island opponents in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the three points in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Start and Spurned Chances
The hosts missed an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite dominating the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
It came when full-back Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every first match is invariably tough but we improved in the second period,” commented manager Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently calmed by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was kept out by keeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco at bay before the hosts' superior firepower in the end made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor made several further fine saves to limit the scoreline as the game progressed, even though Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The three points was partially overshadowed by an injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute in some distress.
This centre-back had only returned to the national side recently after a lengthy layoff due to ankle surgery.
This result extends the team's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to 19, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.