🔗 Share this article El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Wraps Up Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opener. The the Moroccan side shook off a jittery beginning to beat Comoros in the competition's first match on Sunday, with goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period. This constituted a less than dominant performance, however, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium. Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities Morocco failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at half-time despite controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half. It arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Díaz to sidefoot home. Every opening game is always difficult but we delivered in the second period,” said manager Walid Regragui. El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance The tension was then calmed by a piece of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result. Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor. The Visitors' Resistance and Late Chance The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay before the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end told. Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other good stops to keep down the scoreline as the match wore on, even though his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Fitness Concern for Hosts The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute in tears. The centre-back had only returned to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation. This result extends the team's record-breaking run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.