🔗 Share this article El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Victory Against the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations Opening Match. The the Moroccan side overcame a nervy start to overcome Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on Sunday, thanks to Brahim Díaz and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period. It was a less than dominant performance, however, from the strongly favored hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the small island nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the three points in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium. Nervy Start and Spurned Opportunities Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute. The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for Díaz to calmly pass home. “The opening game is never easy but we came good in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Regragui. El Kaabi's Moment of Brilliance The tension was subsequently eased by a piece of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result. Before that, the hosts could have been the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor. Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity Comoros stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' greater quality in the end made the difference. Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off a number of other fine saves to limit the scoreline as the match wore on, even though his team did have a chance for an equaliser shortly after the first goal, with Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou. Fitness Concern for Morocco The three points was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute apparently in some distress. The centre-back had just returned to the international setup recently following a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery. This result extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to nineteen, beating the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.