Morocco overcame a nervy start to beat Comoros 2-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations opening match on Sunday, with Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi scoring second-half goals. The hosts, ranked 97 places above the small Indian Ocean island nation, struggled to break down stubborn opponents and were goalless at half-time despite dominating possession.
Morocco missed an early penalty when Soufiane Rahimi's spot-kick struck the knee of goalkeeper Yannick Pandor. The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute when Noussair Mazraoui kept the ball in play and passed square for Díaz to sidefoot home. El Kaabi then sealed the victory 10 minutes after coming on, scoring with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute.
“The opening game is always difficult but we came good in the second half,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui, after his team extended their record-breaking run of successive victories by a national team to 19. However, there was concern as captain Romain Saïss limped off in tears after 18 minutes, having recently returned from ankle surgery.
