AFCON opener: Morocco secures comfortable victory

Staff Report, PNN

Hosts Morocco opened the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 2–0 win over Comoros. The match was held at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi scored in the second half.

Despite Morocco being far ahead in world rankings compared to Comoros, the match was not easy at the start. On the rain-soaked pitch, Morocco struggled to score in the first half. They even missed an 11th-minute penalty taken by Soufiane Rahimi, which hit goalkeeper Yanik Pandor’s knee.

The deadlock broke in the 55th minute when Nusaïr Mazraoui controlled the ball and passed to Brahim Diaz, who scored. Ten minutes after coming on as a substitute, Ayoub El Kaabi doubled the lead with a stunning bicycle kick.

Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and Comoros’ Pandor made key saves. Comoros nearly equalized shortly after Diaz’s goal, but Rafiki Saïder’s shot was saved by Bounou.

Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui said, “Opening matches are always difficult, but in the second half we played our game.”

This victory extends Morocco’s consecutive international win record to 19, a new milestone for a national team.

However, there are concerns in Morocco’s camp as captain Romane Saïss left injured in the 18th minute.

Next, in Group ‘A’, Mali faces Zambia in Casablanca. On the same day, Angola will play South Africa in Group ‘B’, while Egypt will play with star forward Mohamed Salah against Zimbabwe in Agadir.