🔗 Share this article El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Caps Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game. The Morocco shook off a jittery beginning to beat Comoros in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period. This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the world rankings and were forced to toil hard for the three points in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium. Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities Morocco failed to convert an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute. It came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Díaz to sidefoot home. “The opening game is always difficult but we came good in the second half,” commented manager Regragui. The Substitute's Moment of Magic The tension was subsequently eased by a moment of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after coming on, the striker met a cross with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result. Before that, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor. Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay before the hosts' greater quality in the end made the difference. Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off several other good stops to limit the score as the game wore on, even though his team created a chance for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Fitness Concern for Morocco The three points was partially overshadowed by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute apparently in tears. The centre-back had just returned to the national side recently after a lengthy absence caused by a serious ankle operation. This result extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to nineteen, surpassing the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.