🔗 Share this article Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Goal Caps Morocco's Triumph Over Comoros in Afcon First Game. The Morocco shook off a nervy start to beat Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half. It was a less than dominant display, though, from the strongly favored hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the points in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium. Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities Morocco missed an early spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with dominating the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute. The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home. “The opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second half,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui. El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance Any lingering nerves was subsequently calmed by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after coming on, the forward met a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result. Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by keeper Pandor. Comoros Resistance and Late Opportunity The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay before the hosts' individual talent eventually told. Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off a number of further good stops to keep down the scoreline as the match wore on, even though his team created a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at keeper Bounou. Fitness Worry for Morocco The three points was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute apparently in some distress. This centre-back had only returned to the international setup recently following a lengthy layoff due to ankle surgery. The win extends Morocco's historic run of consecutive victories to 19, surpassing the old record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.