El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Caps Morocco's Win Over Comoros in Afcon Opener.

The Morocco shook off a jittery beginning to beat Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, with goals from Brahim Díaz and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.

It was a far from convincing performance, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the victory in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.

Nervy Start and Spurned Chances

Morocco missed an early penalty and were goalless at the interval even with dominating the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.

It arrived after full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.

“The opening game is invariably tough but we delivered in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.

El Kaabi's Piece of Magic

The tension was subsequently calmed by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following coming on, the striker connected with a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.

Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.

The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity

Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' greater quality eventually made the difference.

Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor pulled off several further good stops to keep down the score as the match wore on, although his team did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Bounou.

Fitness Concern for Morocco

The victory was partially marred by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the first half apparently in some distress.

The centre-back had just made his comeback to the national side recently following a year’s absence due to ankle surgery.

The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of successive victories to 19, surpassing the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.