SOCCER: Morocco overcome early nerves to beat Comoros in Cup of Nations opener

RABAT — Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco overcame a nervy start to defeat Comoros 2-0 in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday, with second-half goals from Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi.

It was far from a convincing performance by the highly fancied Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the small Indian Ocean island nation. The hosts struggled for long periods and had to work hard for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat’s Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah.

Morocco dominated possession but went into halftime scoreless after squandering an early penalty. The breakthrough finally came in the 55th minute when Noussair Mazraoui kept the ball in play near the byline before squaring it to Diaz, who calmly side-footed the ball into the net.

El Kaabi sealed the win in the 74th minute with a trademark bicycle kick, just 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute, easing the tension among the home supporters.

Morocco initially appeared weighed down by expectations, as Comoros defended resolutely and kept the hosts at bay. However, Morocco’s superior firepower eventually proved decisive.

The hosts could have taken the lead as early as the 11th minute after a soft penalty was awarded for a challenge by Iyad Mohamed on Diaz. Soufiane Rahimi, however, struck the spot kick straight down the middle, hitting the knee of goalkeeper Yannick Pandor as the ball rebounded safely away.

Diaz’s persistence was ultimately rewarded, while El Kaabi’s goal ensured a respectable scoreline. Pandor made several key saves late in the match as Comoros tired, although the visitors had a brief chance to equalize four minutes after Diaz’s opener when Rafiki Said fired straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in their first real opportunity of the game.

Coach expects tough opening match

“The opening game is always difficult, but we improved in the second half,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said.

The victory extended Morocco’s record-breaking winning streak to 19 consecutive matches by a national team. They surpassed the previous record of 15, set by Spain from 2008 to 2009, in October.

However, there was concern for the hosts after captain Romain Saiss was forced off in the 18th minute, leaving the field in tears. The central defender spent the first half of the year sidelined following ankle surgery and only returned to international duty last month after a year-long absence.

Mali and Zambia will face off on Monday in the next Group A match in Casablanca. Two Group B matches are also scheduled, with Angola meeting South Africa in Marrakech and Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, taking on Zimbabwe in Agadir. -Reporting by Mark Gleeson in Rabat; Editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters