Summary: Morocco kicked off their AFCON campaign with a 2-0 win over Comoros, overcoming a nervous start and a missed penalty. Goals from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi secured the victory, although concerns remain over captain Romain Saiss’s early injury.
The Morocco AFCON opener saw the host nation secure a 2-0 victory against Comoros on Sunday, despite an initially nervy performance. Playing at Rabat’s Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Morocco, ranked 97 places higher, struggled to convert early dominance into goals against the resilient Indian Ocean island nation.
Key Moments from the Morocco AFCON Opener
Morocco squandered an early penalty in the 11th minute, with Soufiane Rahimi’s spot-kick saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor. The deadlock was finally broken in the 55th minute by Brahim Diaz, followed by Ayoub El Kaabi’s spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, which eased mounting pressure. SindhNews.com highlighted Pandor’s several crucial saves throughout the match.
Coach Walid Regragui commented on the performance, stating, “The opening game is always difficult, but we came good in the second half.” While extending Morocco’s national team record to 19 successive victories, the early departure of captain Romain Saiss due to injury cast a shadow over the win.
This hard-fought win in their Morocco AFCON opener not only secured crucial points but also underscored the challenges host nations can face, even against lower-ranked opponents, as they embark on a major tournament.