El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Secures Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a nervy start to defeat their island opponents in the competition's opening game on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to toil hard for the three points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Tense Beginning and Missed Chances
The hosts failed to convert an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with dominating the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal came when full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Díaz to calmly pass home.
Every first match is never easy but we improved in the second period,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
The tension was then eased by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following his introduction, the striker met a cross with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Late Chance
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco at bay until the Moroccans' greater quality in the end told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made a number of other fine saves to keep down the scoreline as the game wore on, although his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting directly into keeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Morocco
The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute apparently in tears.
The defender had only made his comeback to the national side last month after a lengthy absence due to a serious ankle operation.
The win continues the team's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to nineteen, surpassing the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
