Hosts Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations opener, extending their world-record winning streak to 19 consecutive matches
HOSTS Morocco began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday.
Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi scored second-half goals at a wet Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to secure the win.
Morocco had a frustrating first half, with Soufiane Rahimi seeing a penalty saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor in the 10th minute.
The Atlas Lions broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the interval through Diaz, who fired home from inside the area.
El Kaabi sealed the victory with a stunning overhead kick, meeting a cross from Anass Salah-Eddine.
The result extends Morocco’s world-record winning run to 19 consecutive matches.
Coach Walid Regragui said the opening game is always difficult for the host nation due to immense expectation.
“We have been preparing for this for two years so there was a lot of tension,” Regragui stated.
“The 2-0 scoreline is well deserved, and we could even have scored a third had we not relaxed a little in the last five minutes.”
The match was attended by 60,180 spectators, including Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi watched the entire game from the bench as a precaution after an ankle injury.
“We didn’t want to take any risk with Achraf. We are being very careful with him,” Regragui explained.
Comoros, ranked 108th in the world, defended resolutely for much of the game but could not contain Morocco after halftime.
Morocco’s next Group A match is against Mali on Friday, while Comoros will face Zambia.
The Africa Cup of Nations final will be held in Rabat on January 18
