Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Wraps Up Morocco's Victory Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opener.
The Morocco overcame a jittery start to overcome their island opponents in the tournament's opening game on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the small island nation in the world rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with controlling the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
It came when full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Díaz to sidefoot into the net.
“The first match is always difficult but we delivered in the second half,” said manager Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following coming on, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Before that, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was saved by keeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity
The underdogs stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the Moroccans' superior firepower eventually told.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor made several further fine saves to limit the scoreline as the game wore on, although his team did have a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off in the first half in tears.
This defender had just made his comeback to the international setup recently following a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery.
The win continues Morocco's historic run of consecutive victories to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
