Morocco began their quest for Africa Cup of Nations glory in confident fashion on Sunday night, as second-half strikes from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi secured a 2-0 victory over underdogs Comoros in the opening match of the tournament.
After a frustrating first half in which the hosts struggled to convert dominance into goals, Diaz broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the restart at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Substitute El Kaabi then sealed the win with a spectacular overhead kick, ensuring the Atlas Lions started Group A with three valuable points ahead of tougher fixtures against Mali and Zambia.
The hosts, heavily backed to make a deep run on home soil, endured early tension when Soufiane Rahimi failed to convert from the penalty spot in the 10th minute. The forward’s effort was denied by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, whose save helped the visitors remain competitive throughout the opening half despite Morocco’s territorial control.
Africa’s top-ranked side, currently 11th in the FIFA standings, eventually found their rhythm after the interval. Diaz, who had been instrumental throughout, found space inside the box and finished clinically to lift the pressure off the hosts. The breakthrough opened up the contest, allowing Morocco to stretch a Comoros side ranked 108th in the world.
El Kaabi’s acrobatic goal later in the half provided the highlight of the evening, as he connected brilliantly with a cross to double the lead and effectively end Comoros’ resistance. The goal capped a composed display from Walid Regragui’s men on a wet and chilly night in Rabat.
The match was played in front of 60,180 spectators, with Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan present after appearing on the pitch before kick-off, alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi watched from the bench as the coaching staff opted to protect the Paris Saint-Germain defender, who is still regaining full fitness after an ankle injury sustained in early November.
Despite the absence of their star right-back and an early injury to veteran defender Romain Saiss, Morocco maintained control and extended their extraordinary winning streak to a world-record 19 consecutive matches. The victory reinforces their status as tournament favourites and keeps expectations high as they continue their campaign.
Comoros, though beaten, showed resilience, particularly in the first half, and even fashioned a clear chance after the break when Rafiki Said was denied while through on goal. However, Morocco’s superior quality ultimately told as the hosts eased through the latter stages of the contest.
The Atlas Lions now turn their attention to Friday’s clash with Mali, while Comoros face the daunting task of regrouping quickly as the group stage intensifies. Elsewhere in the competition, attention shifts to Monday’s fixtures, including South Africa versus Angola and Egypt’s opener against Zimbabwe, as the tournament builds toward its January 18 final in Rabat.
What you should know
Morocco are hosting the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1988 and are under intense pressure to deliver success on home soil.
Ranked as Africa’s highest team globally, the Atlas Lions entered the tournament on a remarkable winning run and are considered strong contenders for the title. Their opening victory over Comoros not only secured early momentum but also highlighted their squad depth, with key players like Achraf Hakimi rested.
The tournament, which stretches into the New Year, will test Morocco’s ability to handle expectations while navigating a demanding schedule against strong continental rivals.
