Morocco opened their home Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 victory over Comoros, powered by a spectacular goal from substitute Ayoub El Kaabi.
The win made Morocco the fourth host nation in a row to start the tournament with three points. The Atlas Lions missed a major chance early on when Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor saved Soufiane Rahimi’s 11th-minute penalty.
Morocco’s difficult first half worsened when captain Romain Saiss left the pitch with an injury, replaced by Jawad El Yamiq. The hosts also saw appeals for a second penalty turned down by the referee after a VAR review just before halftime.
The breakthrough finally came in the 54th minute. Noussair Mazraoui sent a perfect cross from the left to Brahim Diaz, who powered his shot past Pandor from close range.
Morocco sealed the win in the 74th minute with a moment of brilliance. El Kaabi, who had just entered the pitch, scored a remarkable overhead kick that flew into the net, surely making it an early candidate for the tournament’s best goal.
The second-half performance extends Morocco’s unbeaten run at home to nine matches. They will next face Mali on Friday. For Comoros, making only their second ever AFCON appearance, the defeat against a tournament favorite was respectable. Their next match against Zambia will offer a clearer test of their chances to advance from the group stage.