Hosts Morocco began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a winning note on Sunday, defeating Comoros 2–0 in the opening match of the tournament at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Second-half goals from Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi sealed the victory for the Atlas Lions after a frustrating first half in which Soufiane Rahimi missed a penalty. Diaz broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the restart, before El Kaabi produced a spectacular overhead kick to secure the points on a wet and chilly night in the Moroccan capital.
The result extends Morocco’s world-record winning streak to 19 consecutive matches and strengthens the credentials of the Atlas Lions, who are Africa’s highest-ranked side at 11th in the FIFA rankings. They now turn their attention to tougher Group A fixtures against Mali and Zambia.
Morocco dominated early proceedings and were handed a chance to take the lead in the 10th minute when Diaz was fouled in the penalty area by Iyad Mohamed.
However, Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor kept his side level by saving Rahimi’s spot-kick, inspiring a resilient defensive display from the visitors for the remainder of the first half.
Despite losing veteran defender Romain Saiss to injury, Morocco maintained their pressure and eventually broke through in the 55th minute. Noussair Mazraoui, starting at right-back in the absence of captain Achraf Hakimi, squared the ball for Real Madrid midfielder Diaz to finish from close range.
Comoros, ranked 108th in the world, briefly threatened an equaliser when Rafiki Said went clean through on goal, only to be denied.
Morocco responded by increasing the tempo, with Mazraoui forcing another save from Pandor before El Kaabi doubled the lead in stunning fashion, meeting Anass Salah-Eddine’s cross with an acrobatic bicycle kick.
The match was played before a crowd of 60,180, with Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and FIFA president Gianni Infantino among the dignitaries in attendance. Hakimi remained an unused substitute as coach Walid Regragui opted to rest the Paris Saint-Germain full-back following a recent ankle injury.
Morocco will face Mali on Friday, while Zambia open their campaign against Mali on Monday in Casablanca. Elsewhere on Monday, South Africa meet Angola in Marrakesh, before record seven-time champions Egypt begin their Group B campaign against Zimbabwe in Agadir.
This edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is the first to begin in one calendar year and conclude in another, with the final scheduled for January 18 in Rabat.
