A sensational overkick head from Ayoub El Kaabi helped hosts Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in the opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament – the fourth edition in a row to see the host nation start off with a win.
Morocco’s contribution to that trend would require a lot of patience and perseverance from players and fans alike though, as the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists spurned a massive chance to break the deadlock after only 11 minutes, when Iyad Mohamed’s needless foul on Brahim Diaz left referee Jean-Jacques Ndala with no choice but to point to the spot.
However, Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor spared Mohamed’s blushes by saving Soufiane Rahimi’s penalty with his outstretched leg.
Things on and off the pitch then went from bad to worse for Morocco only eight minutes later, firstly with the near-tearful Moroccan captain Romain Saiss being replaced by Jawad El Yamiq, after sustaining an injury that looked like a potential tournament ender for him.
The Atlas Lions’ forgettable first half then concluded in similarly disappointing circumstances, as a combination of VAR and Ndala rejected the hosts’ appeals for another penalty, after deciding Díaz had handled the ball before going down under the challenge of Ahmed Soilihi.
However, Morocco would finally nose in front nine minutes after the break, as the might of Manchester and Madrid combined. Customarily flying forward down the left wing, Noussair Mazraoui produced a pinpoint pass to Diaz, who fiercely fired the delightful delivery past Pandor from practically underneath the penalty spot.
And one nearly became two not long after, as only the outstretched fingertips of Pandor prevented Mazraoui from getting his name on the scoresheet.
Regardless, the Atlas Lions put the game to bed in the 74th minute, as substitute El Kaabi scored an early contender for goal of the tournament, when he executed a stunning bicycle kick that flew into the back of the net.
A scintillating second-half performance helped Morocco extend their unbeaten home record to nine matches ahead of their second test of the 2025 AFCON tournament, which sees them go up against Mali on Friday.
Meanwhile, Comoros certainly didn’t disgrace themselves against one of the pre-tournament favourites on only their second-ever appearance in the competition. A clash against Zambia on matchday two will arguably provide a fairer reflection of their real chances where progression is concerned.
