El Kaabi's Breathtaking Strike Caps Morocco's Win Against the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a anxious start to overcome their island opponents in the tournament's first match on the weekend, with goals from Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a less than dominant showing, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to grind out for the three points in wet conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Chances
The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating possession, finally opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Díaz to sidefoot home.
Every first match is always difficult but we delivered in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a piece of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following his introduction, the striker met a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Before that, the Moroccan team could have been the lead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay before the hosts' superior firepower in the end made the difference.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off a number of other good stops to keep down the score as the game wore on, even though Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who was forced off in the first half in some distress.
This defender had just made his comeback to the international setup last month following a year’s absence due to a serious ankle operation.
This result continues the team's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
