Brahim Diaz’s opener and a stunning Ayoub El Kaabi overhead kick saw Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco defeat Comoros 2-0 in the tournament opener on Sunday, with the competition favourites living up to their billing despite not enjoying the walkover that some had anticipated.
Soufiane Rahimi had his first-half penalty saved before Diaz, who had been the top scorer during the qualifying campaign, finished from close range in the 55th minute following a cross from Noussair Mazraoui to help the Atlas Lions finally subdue the stubborn minnows.
Some 20 minutes later, substitute El Kaabi added a second, pirouetting in front of goal to send a lofted ball forward by Anass Salah-Eddine to sent an overhead kick beyond the excellent Yannick Pandor in the Comoran goal to make sure of victory.
Dominant throughout — Morocco registered 66 percent possession and largely limited their opponents to opportunities on the counterattack — frustration had begun to creep in for the hosts before Diaz settled some nerves with the opener early in the second half.
The atmosphere had been bubbling with expectation ahead of kickoff, with the capacity crowd in attendance at the 68,700 Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium reserving a hero’s welcome for both Prince Moulay Hassan — the heir to the throne — who greeted the players before kickoff, and captain Achraf Hakimi, who was presented with the CAF African Footballer of the Year award he won last month.
Hakimi was omitted from the starting lineup by head coach Walid Regragui as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury sustained in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Nov. 4, with Mazraoui starting at right-back in his stead.
The Manchester United man, whose arrival in camp had prompted a tug of war between club and country, the former ultimately appealing to FIFA for assistance, was influential throughout, with Morocco seeking to focus their attacks down wide areas to stretch and trouble their compact opponents.
The visitors’ nerves were evident early on when Pandor kicked the ball straight out of play from a goal kick in the third minute, but he was to redeem himself minutes later when Diaz was felled in the box by a clumsy challenge by Iyad Mohamed.
The referee awarded a penalty after consulting the VAR, although Pandor saved Rahimi’s poor penalty with his knees to the delight of the vocal Comoros fans behind the goal.
Nonetheless, Morocco dominated proceedings, seeking to forge attacking angles with their sharp passing, swift movement and incisive dribbling around the Comoran box.
The visitors defended the edge of their box stoutly, but lacked composure when in possession, with forward Rafiki Said thanklessly having to chase down high balls as their only outlet.
Morocco also encountered another early setback when veteran centreback Romain Saïss was withdrawn with injury in the 13th, having earlier gone down clutching his hamstring, although Comoros were unable to exploit their misfortune.
The future of the biennial tournament took a twist Saturday with the announcement it will move to a four-year cycle to bring it in line with the FIFA calendar.
“The AFCON every four years will be an event nobody wants to miss,” Regragui said. “What I want is to see African football grow.”
ESPN
