🔗 Share this article Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Caps The Atlas Lions' Triumph Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opener. The the Moroccan side shook off a anxious start to overcome Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on Sunday, with goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period. It was a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at the national stadium. Tense Beginning and Missed Opportunities Morocco failed to convert an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with dominating possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute. It came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home. “The opening game is invariably tough but we improved in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui. El Kaabi's Piece of Magic Any lingering nerves was then eased by a piece of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following coming on, the forward met a cross with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win. Before that, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor. Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Chance Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay before the hosts' individual talent eventually made the difference. Goalkeeper Pandor made a number of further fine saves to limit the scoreline as the match progressed, although Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into keeper Yassine Bounou. Injury Concern for Hosts The victory was partially marred by an injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half apparently in tears. The centre-back had only made his comeback to the national side recently after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation. The win continues Morocco's historic run of consecutive victories to 19, beating the old best of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.